The All Progressives Congress (APC) is today the most dominant political party in Nigeria. Formed in 2013 from the merger of the ACN, CPC, ANPP, and a faction of APGA, the party rose with a single mission: to challenge the long-standing rule of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In 2015, it made history when its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, defeated the PDP at the polls, ending 16 years of their uninterrupted dominance.

Since then, the APC has continued to play a central role in Nigeria’s democracy. At the federal level, it has projected itself as a progressive party with focus on security, economic reforms, and anti-corruption. At the same time, the party has had to manage leadership tussles, defections, and internal divisions which have sometimes tested its unity. Even with these challenges, APC remains a major political force nationwide.

But beyond the national stage, the APC has unique stories at the state level — and none is more striking than in Kwara State.

The 2019 elections in Kwara were unlike anything the state had ever witnessed. Riding on the wave of the now-famous “Ó Tó Gẹ́ Movement” (meaning Enough is Enough), ordinary people, civil society groups, and grassroots campaigners united to break free from decades of political dynasty that had held sway in the state. The APC became the vehicle of this liberation, sweeping all major elective offices in an unprecedented landslide.

That victory was more than just a change of political party. For many in Kwara, it symbolized the power of the people to reclaim their voice and redirect their future. The APC, by carrying the hopes of that movement, became the custodian of a new social contract between the people and their leaders.

Since taking charge, the Kwara chapter of the APC has been at the center of governance and political decision-making in the state. However, like in other parts of Nigeria, internal disagreements, shifting loyalties, and the pressure of high expectations have tested the unity of the party. Supporters and critics alike continue to ask whether the APC can live up to the promise of the 2019 revolution or risk losing the people’s trust.

Looking ahead to 2027, the stakes are high. The APC in Kwara must balance governance with party unity, deliver visible development, and remain responsive to the yearnings of the people. Failure to do so could open the door for opposition parties to stage a comeback. Success, on the other hand, would solidify APC’s role not just as a ruling party, but as a genuine agent of change in Kwara politics.

For now, the APC remains the leading force in Kwara State politics — the party that rode to power on the shoulders of the people’s will. The coming years will determine whether that bond remains strong or weakens under the weight of politics as usual.