Kwara 2027: Guber Candidates Outline Programmes At Manifesto Discourse Organized By ASKOMP In Ilorin
Ahead of the 2027 Kwara State governorship election, guber candidates on Friday outlined their development priorities with security, education, economic growth, healthcare, and grassroots development taking centre stage in their proposals.
The candidates provided insights into their blueprints during the Manifesto Discourse organized by the Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP) which was held at Rotana Hotel, Ilorin.
Team@orientactualmags.com reports that five candidates attended the event: Hon. Zakari Mohammed (ADC), Professor Abdulmumeen Yinka Ajia (NDC), Omotosho Bamidele Olaitan , Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Dr Ridwanullahi Apaokagi (SDP), and Deacon Shola Victor Abioye , National Democratic Party (NDP).
However, the APC candidate, Speaker Salihu Yakubu Danladi, and the PDP candidate, Engineer Kale Kawu, were conspicuously absent.
Also absent were Accord Party, Action Alliance, APGA, and candidates of three other political parties.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had a few weeks ago, released the final list of guber candidates which comprises 13 individuals and their political parties. .
Their absence drew sharp criticism from the ADC and NDC candidates, who described the move as disrespectful to the people of Kwara State.
Hon. Zakari Mohammed disclosed that he was scheduled to travel to Abuja but suspended his plans to attend the event because he is driven by his passion for the growth and development of the state emphasizing that the discourse provided a vital platform to communicate directly with Kwarans.
The ADC guber candidate also noted that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, his party’s presidential candidate, remains deeply passionate about easing the economic hardships currently confronting Nigerians adding that the former Vice President has shown commitment to reversing the current administration’s fuel policy by restoring the petrol subsidy under a structured framework.
An ADC-controlled federal government, he added, will allow existence of modulated refineries, noting that subsidy will be moved from the finished goods stage to production stage.
The ADC gubernatorial candidate also took a jab at his co-contestants, describing them as candidates who are not truly independent.
‘If one of my co-contestants becomes the governor, it will ease a fifth term for someone, while the other person will make a third term possible for someone if he wins’ he said.
Hon Zakari Mohammed said his administration will prioritize security through the deployment of advanced technology to combat kidnapping, banditry and other security threats confronting the state while promising equitable distribution of development projects across the three senatorial districts and ‘full autonomy’ for local governments.
The ADC guber candidate submitted that his experience in public service including his tenure as a commissioner and a member of the House of Representatives, alongside his academic qualifications, had prepared him for the top job in the state .
NDC governorship candidate, Professor Abdulmumeen Yinka Ajia condemned the elitist notion of certain political parties being labeled as ‘big parties’ noting that true democracy requires absolute respect for the electorate.
‘We respect our people and ASKOMP. I returned to Nigeria from the United States specifically to attend this Manifesto Discourse. The Kwara Forward Manifesto is built on six pillars, with security, education, and the economy as our top priority areas’ Ajia said.
The NDC guber candidate also said Speaker Yakubu Danladi lacks the experience to govern Kwara State, vowing that ‘we will not allow Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s third term by proxy’.
The Manifesto Discourse provided a valuable opportunity for the candidates to engage with stakeholders from organized labour, education sector, and civil society organizations.
APM guber candidate, Olaitan Omotosho promised to increase the bursary for students at tertiary institutions in the state and introduce free healthcare services for vulnerable residents.
He also said mineral resources in the state are untapped source of revenue, promising to explore abandoned mineral deposits to boost internally generated revenue and reduce dependence on federal allocations.
According to him, sustainable development requires states to identify and harness their economic potentials rather than relying solely on monthly revenue from the Federation Account.
SDP guber candidate, Dr Ridwanulahi Apaokagi, made local government autonomy a central part of his campaign promises, pledging to ensure that the third tier of government enjoys genuine administrative and financial independence in line with the provisions of the nation’s constitution.
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Abioye of the NDP also presented his vision for the state, expressing his commitment to accelerating development and improving the welfare of the people.
Earlier, ASKOMP Chairman, Mr Salihu Shola Taofeek, said the manifesto discourse was designed to provide candidates with an opportunity to explain their policy directions and development priorities to the electorate.
The engagement forms part of efforts to promote accountability and encourage candidates to place policy issues at the centre of political campaigns ahead of the 2027 Kwara State governorship election–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
