By Yusuf Kehinde
It is no coincidence that Lanre Issa-Onilu has arguably been the most discussed gubernatorial aspirant within the political circle in the last four days. The man has got both lovers and critics busy. All the inquiries, commendations, doubts and criticisms are welcome. I appreciate all interest from all divides, especially after my last article, and wish to assure them that their feedback is noted.
But we must make something clear: Lanre Issa-Onilu is an aspirant to beat for Kwara APC ticket.
The primary elections which political parties are expected to conduct between April 23 and May 30, 2026 per INEC’s timetable and directive are key and defining for the future of governance in Kwara State. It will be a watershed moment to put the round peg in the round hole, regardless of all primordial sentiments. The key investments Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has made in education, tech and digital innovation, conferencing and tourism, healthcare, workers’ welfare, and a lot more should not be put to naught. Kwara APC should therefore put its best foot forward.
Well-read, well-travelled, and administratively hands-on, Lanre Issa-Onilu, whom reports recently suggest will join the guber race, comes into focus as the man to make greater accomplishments out of the investments of Governor AbdulRazaq.
From his days as a cub journalist and rising to the position of a senior journalist in the country, through to his roles as a development consultant and policy wonk across states of the country, down to his stint as national spokesman of the APC, and now DG NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu has garnered solid network from both the private and public sectors that will translate to impacts for Kwara. He will leverage these networks to preserve and consolidate the legacies of Governor AbdulRazaq, such as the trendy Innovation Hub, Sugar Film Factory, Garment Factory, Ilorin International Conference Centre, amongst others. He will also build his own rich legacies for Kwara, shaped by his global exposure, quality education and public service experience.
With a long history in the political circle, Onilu needs no introduction to the movers and shakers of the economy and political space in Nigeria. His leadership at NOA has even bolstered his network, which I believe is what Kwara needs to harness these great opportunities Governor AbdulRazaq is bequeathing the state.
As Kwara makes headway in its fight against the security challenges, we need a man with the clout of Lanre Issa-Onilu to drive greater success. His critical role at NOA has placed him at a vantage position where he relates well with security commanders and the top brass of the security architecture in the country. This is another network I believe Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu will take advantage of to make Kwara safer and better secure.
Of all the aspirants that are being touted in the state, Onilu is one who combines many fine attributes for progressive governance in Kwara. He is cool-headed, calm and calculative, endearing him to virtually all tendencies in the party. He cherishes culture and tradition and is deeply close to the grassroots. He is a man with extensive administrative experience. He is the man with party leadership experience at the highest level. He will be the chief marketing officer for Kwara to attract more foreign direct investments. Above all, he is a doer, strategist, and deep thinker with a knack for problem solving.
On a final note, I want to urge all the aspirants and their followers within the party to stick to promoting their mandate. The sky is big enough for all the birds to fly. The primary election is a family affair. We understand this dictum and have no intentions to go on the offensive. But I am afraid a certain narrative of blackmail being set by the camp of a certain guber aspirant over his resignation is unsavoury. That camp and their conduct is not the best of us. But the rest of us have to be clear on what will constitute values and rules of the healthy competition in APC to be able to move on peacefully and quickly after the primaries. We can understand that Onilu’s aspiration and the growing support for it make many jittery, but we call for sportsmanship, if it is not beyond them to give. The guber ticket is not the end of the world, and he will certainly not trade his heart, where Ilorin Emirate community dwells, to get there.
He is going ahead with his mission to take Kwara Forward.