Five governorship candidates in Kwara State on Friday attended a manifesto discourse organised by the Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The candidates were Hon. Zakari Mohammed of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Prof. Abdulmumeen Yinka Ajia of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Omotosho Bamidele Olaitan of the Action Peoples Party (APP), Dr. Ridwanullahi Apaokagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Deacon Shola Victor Abioye of the National Democratic Party (NDP).
The event, held at Rotana Hotel, Ilorin, provided an opportunity for the candidates to present their policy directions, programmes and development plans to stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Christian Association of Nigeria, Kwara Must Change, Elites Network for Sustainable Development and community-based organisations across the three senatorial districts.
However, the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Bolakale Kawu, were absent from the event.
In his welcome address, ASKOMP Chairman, Salihu Shola Taofeek, said the discourse was organised to promote constructive engagement and enable candidates to communicate their manifestos and leadership visions to the electorate.
He added that the initiative would help residents make informed decisions ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking at the event, ADC candidate, Zakari Mohammed, said his academic qualifications, including a PhD from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, and his experience as a former commissioner and member of the House of Representatives had prepared him for the task of governing Kwara State.
Mohammed criticised the APC and PDP candidates for failing to attend the discourse, describing them as puppets who had nothing to offer the state.
He argued that voting for the APC candidate would amount to a third term for the outgoing administration by proxy, while supporting the PDP candidate would mean another continuation of political leadership.
The ADC candidate promised to deploy advanced technology to tackle insecurity, particularly kidnapping and banditry, which he said had become major challenges in the state.
He also pledged to ensure the judicious use of public funds, distribute development across the three senatorial districts, address infrastructure deficits in rural communities and revive the state economy.
On his part, NDC candidate, Prof. Abdulmumeen Yinka Ajia, presented his manifesto titled Kwara Forward, which he said was built on six pillars, with security, education and the economy as major priorities.
Ajia said he returned to Nigeria from the United States specifically to participate in the discourse, adding that his manifesto was designed to move the state forward.
He also questioned the APC candidate’s experience and opposed what he described as an attempt to secure a third term for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq through a proxy.
Meanwhile, APP candidate, Omotosho Bamidele Olaitan, promised to increase the bursary for Kwara students in higher institutions beyond the existing N100,000 and introduce free healthcare services for vulnerable residents.
He said his administration would explore the state’s abandoned mineral resources to boost internally generated revenue, stressing that Kwara could not achieve meaningful development by relying solely on allocations from the Federation Account.
The SDP candidate, Dr. Ridwanullahi Apaokagi, pledged to implement local government autonomy in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution to accelerate grassroots development.
Apaokagi, a medical doctor, also promised strategic investments in healthcare and education to improve service delivery across the state.
Similarly, the NDP candidate, Deacon Shola Victor Abioye, outlined his development agenda, promising to accelerate the growth and progress of Kwara State.
In his vote of thanks, the Secretary of the ASKOMP Manifesto Discourse Planning Committee and Publisher of 9japarrot, Saeed Tijjani, disclosed that the association had invited all 12 governorship candidates on the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He appreciated the five candidates who honoured the invitation and presented their manifestos and policy directions to the people of Kwara State.