2027 Kwara Guber: Ismail Agboola, Magaji Agbabiaka, Other APC Bigwigs Highlight Senator Sadiq Umar’s ‘Good Qualities’  As He Launches Governorship Bid In Ilorin

Ahead of the 2027 Kwara State gubernatorial election, former federal lawmakers, thought leaders, APC members and other stakeholders took turns to present Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar’s ‘value proposition’ as he officially launched his gubernatorial bid at the Baseball & Softball Park, Adewole Estate, Ilorin on Tuesday.

Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, who is an APC gubernatorial aspirant, currently represents Kwara North in the senate.

In his declaration speech, Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar noted that he was not standing before Kwarans to only notify them of his political aspirations but rather to share a conviction.

‘I stand here not merely to make an announcement, but to share a conviction. A conviction that the best days of Kwara State are still ahead of us. A conviction that the hopes of our people are valid, their sacrifices are not in vain, and their future can be brighter than their present.

It is with great humility, a deep sense of duty, and absolute faith in the destiny of our state that I formally declare my intention to contest for the office of the governor of Kwara State in the forthcoming 2027 general election under the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC)’ he said.

Submitting that he has launched the gubernatorial bid to answer the call of history, the senator also asserted that he is well-prepared and ready for the governorship duties and responsibilities while adding that ‘this decision is not born out of personal ambition’. It is born out of responsibility. It is born out of the belief that leadership must always answer the call of history. And when a people desire progress that is deeper, broader, and more enduring, those who are prepared must step forward’ .

While presenting his ‘value proposition’, he also said Kwara has come a long way and witnessed a new direction under Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s visionary and purposeful leadership .

‘We have seen the restoration of public confidence in governance. We have seen meaningful reforms, renewed infrastructure,

For over two decades, I have worked as a development expert, designing and implementing practical solutions that improve lives across communities. In the last seven years, I have had the honor of serving as Senator representing Kwara North Senatorial District. That experience has deepened my understanding of the dreams of our people and the demands of leadership. It has shown me that good intentions are not enough. What matters is the courage to act, the wisdom to listen, and the discipline to deliver results’ he said.

The APC guber aspirant, who talked about his vision for Kwara State, noted that it centers on building a ‘new way forward’. He also touched on the ‘policy platform’.

‘My dear people, the next chapter of Kwara must be one where development is not occasional, but consistent; not selective, but inclusive; not loud in promise, but visible in impact.

We must build a Kwara where power reaches homes, businesses, schools, health centers, and communities more reliably. We will pursue a practical energy agenda with strong emphasis on solar power expansion for public institutions, rural communities, productive clusters, and underserved areas. We must become a state where clean and sustainable energy helps our children learn better, our hospitals function better, our businesses grow faster, and our communities live with greater dignity.

We must build a safer Kwara. Security is not only about responding to danger; it is about creating confidence in daily life. We will strengthen community-based security collaboration, support intelligence gathering, deploy technology where necessary, and work closely with all relevant institutions so that every parent can sleep with peace, every trader can move with confidence, and every community can feel protected.

We must raise a new generation through quality education. The future will not wait for us, and our children must not be left behind. We will continue to improve learning environments, strengthen teacher support, deepen digital education, expand technical and vocational opportunities, and ensure that education prepares our young people not just to pass examinations, but to lead in the modern world.

We must also strengthen healthcare by providing health insurance, because no society can prosper when its people are weak. Our goal is simple: healthier families, better-equipped facilities, more responsive primary care, stronger maternal and child health systems, and a healthcare structure that reaches both urban and rural communities with compassion and efficiency.

We will accelerate infrastructure development because roads, bridges, public facilities, and connectivity are not luxuries; they are the pathways of prosperity. But beyond physical structures, we will build economic infrastructure — the kind that supports enterprise, opens markets, reduces waste, and attracts investment.

In agriculture, we will move from subsistence to prosperity. Our farmers deserve more than praise; they deserve support, modern inputs, storage systems, irrigation, access to markets, processing opportunities, and value chains that reward their labor. Kwara has the land, the people, and the potential to become a major force in food production and agro-industrial growth.

In mining, we will pursue responsible development that creates jobs, attracts investment, and adds value to our natural resources while protecting communities and the environment. Our mineral wealth must become a source of lawful prosperity and structured opportunity.

In tourism and culture, Kwara must tell its story to the world. Our history, our heritage, our festivals, our hospitality, and our unique identity are not relics of the past; they are assets for the future. We will unlock tourism as an engine of jobs, pride, and economic growth, while preserving the traditions and values that define us as a people.

We will reposition sports as a platform for unity, discipline, youth empowerment, and talent discovery. Kwara is rich in gifted young men and women whose dreams deserve structure and support. Sports can inspire hope, create careers, and unite communities across every divide’ he said.

Senator Sadiq Umar, who ended his declaration speech memorably, said:

‘I do not come before you as one who claims to have all the answers. I come before you as one who is ready to listen, ready to work, and ready to lead with humility, courage, and sincerity’.

Speaking earlier, former Chairman of Kaiama local government, Alhaji Hassan Bagudu said the senator had although while appearing on a TVC programme a few days ago, announced his decision to run for governor, stakeholders in the state had however gotten in touch with him and emphasized the need to hold a declaration ceremony in the state which will have the stakeholders in attendance.

 He disclosed that over 100 people from each of the 16 local governments in the state attended the event.

The senator, he added, is prepared, tested and trusted and he has the capacity to get things done.

Submitting that the vision is real, he urged attendees of the event to spread the ‘3SU Guber project’ message to the ward and grassroots levels.

Giving his speech, Chief J.B Ayeni recalled that when he was approached by a delegation that sought his support for Kwara North in 2023, he had told them that the star did not favour a Kwara North candidate at that material time and urged them to wait till 2027.

He said fairness, justice and equity therefore demand that the ‘governorship seat’ should go to Kwara North this time around.

Also speaking, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, a former senator, who thanked everyone for gracing the event, said he is from Kwara North where he is recognized as one of the political leaders and attending the event therefore shows that it is a project that God has sanctioned.

Speaking in the same vein, former Chairman of Ilorin South local government, Hon Ismail Agboola said God loves truth, justice and fairness and it will therefore be fair to allow the Kwara North to produce the next governor of the state.

 He also talked about the guber aspirant’s good qualities which, he noted, made him earn the admiration of others.

‘Senator Sadiq is not proud, he fears God, he spends secretly while many others publicize their own. It rained this morning and it was a way of showing that this is a divine project. Kwarans must not lose the opportunity to present such a good candidate’ he said.

A party bigwig, Prince Shuaib Olanrewaju also said the rain that fell on Tuesday morning showed that all worries and difficulties have been washed away.

He also likened the senator to an eagle that flies above other birds while urging support for his candidacy.

Former Commissioner for Information, Hon Abdulmumini Katibi said Senator Sadiq has a good track record asserting that he has at least two projects that he has facilitated in each of the 58 wards in the senatorial district.

Magaji Agbabiaka, Alhaji Bolakale Abbas, a retired General, also said Kwara North had over the years supported Kwara Central and fairness demands reciprocity.

He added that God loves justice, fairness and equity while disclosing that late Barrister Kunle Sulyman and other APC leaders had a few months ago, taken a decision that Kwara North should produce the next governor of the State of Harmony.

Senator Sadiq, he added, is a uniquely qualified candidate who will continue the good work of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq .

Dignitaries at the event include Alhaji Folorunso Asa, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s Principal Private Secretary, Alhaji Abdullateef Adebayo Oloyin, a member of the state House of Assembly, Hon Abdulahi Danbaba, Chief J.B Ayeni, former Senator Mohammed Ahmed, former Rep Faruq Saruq, former Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Abdulmumini Katibi, Alhaja Tawa Agaka, Chief Bisi Oloruntoba, Dr Lanre Shittu, Alhaji Abubakar Mora, Hon Ismail Agboola and Prince Shuaib Olanrewaju-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you