By Kayode Abdulazeez, Ilorin
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, has pledged to consolidate the achievements of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and take the state to greater heights if elected in the 2027 governorship election.
Danladi-Salihu, who is also the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, said his familiarity with the state’s development challenges and seven years of legislative experience had prepared him to provide purposeful leadership, insisting that Kwara needed continuity and further development rather than a return to what he described as its difficult past.
The APC candidate made this known while interacting with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at its interactive programme, tagged ‘News Keg’ where he spoke on his political journey, legislative experience, achievements and development agenda ahead of the 2027 election.
Danladi-Salihu maintained that he was not entering the governorship race as a political outsider, having served as Speaker since 2019 and participated in legislative processes supporting the present administration’s development programmes.
“I am not new to what is happening in Kwara State today. I have spent seven years in the legislature, and we know virtually every sector and the challenges confronting the state,” he said.
He explained that his legislative experience had given him a broad understanding of governance, particularly through the Assembly’s appropriation and oversight responsibilities, which he said complemented the executive’s implementation of government policies and projects.
The APC candidate, an electrical engineering graduate, also highlighted his academic pursuits, disclosing that he had undertaken programmes in revenue management, peace, conflict and security studies and was currently pursuing a PhD in economic development.
Reflecting on his representation of Ilesha/Gwanara Constituency, he identified access to potable water, rural roads, healthcare, education and security as some of the major challenges that had informed his legislative interventions.
He disclosed that he facilitated the provision of about 210 boreholes for water across communities in his constituency during his first term, in addition to the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads.
Among the projects he highlighted was a 33-kilometre road linking communities in his constituency, which he said had significantly improved transportation and movement in an area where residents previously endured several hours of travelling during the rainy season for journeys that would ordinarily take about 30 minutes.
On healthcare, the Speaker said he facilitated interventions in 18 primary healthcare centres while also supporting efforts to improve existing general and cottage hospitals.
He added that his interventions had extended beyond his constituency, explaining that his position as Speaker had provided opportunities to support development projects and empowerment programmes in other parts of the state.
Addressing the security situation, particularly in Kwara North, Danladi-Salihu said he facilitated the training of 300 local security personnel to strengthen surveillance and intelligence gathering in vulnerable communities, especially border settlements in Baruten Local Government Area.
He described security as a fundamental requirement for development, calling for sustained collaboration among security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and local authorities.
The APC candidate also identified human capital development, agriculture, electricity and rural infrastructure as major priorities of his proposed administration.
He said improved road networks connecting farming communities to urban markets would reduce transportation costs, improve farmers’ earnings and ultimately contribute to lower food prices.
Danladi-Salihu further highlighted the electricity challenges confronting several rural communities in Baruten, noting, however, that partnerships with investors had facilitated alternative power arrangements, including solar-powered electricity in some settlements.
He also identified the establishment of the Federal Science and Technical College in Kwara North as an important intervention capable of expanding educational opportunities and stimulating development in the district.
On the political debate surrounding calls to rescue Kwara, the APC candidate questioned the rationale behind such demands, arguing that the state should focus on consolidating its development efforts.
“Why are some people saying they want to rescue Kwara? Is it from the infrastructure and development that are going on, or do we want to move forward? In life, there is no limit to development. We must continue to move forward,” he said.
He described Governor AbdulRazaq as a leader who had laid a solid foundation for the state, insisting that his proposed administration would sustain ongoing programmes and build on existing achievements.
“My brother has laid a good foundation for Kwara, and the next step is for us to build on that foundation. I am part and parcel of the foundation. It will therefore be easier for us to consolidate the gains already recorded,” he said.
Danladi-Salihu also pledged balanced development across the three senatorial districts, assuring residents of Kwara North, Central and South that no part of the state would be neglected under his administration.
He expressed optimism about the economic potential of Kwara North, particularly in agriculture, rural infrastructure and electricity, saying strategic investments in these areas would stimulate economic activities and discourage rural-urban migration.
Earlier, the Chairman of the News Keg Committee of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Ibrahim Alege, said the initiative was designed to redirect political conversations ahead of the 2027 elections towards governance, accountability and development rather than political permutations and party interests.
Alege explained that the programme would provide governorship candidates of different political parties with equal opportunities to present their policy directions, programmes and development priorities to the electorate.
“As we approach another election season, we consider it important to shift the conversation from political permutations and party interests to the real issues that affect the lives of the people,” he said.
He listed security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, employment, agriculture and economic development among the critical issues candidates would be expected to address.
The committee chairman stressed that journalists had a responsibility to equip voters with the information required to make informed electoral decisions.
“Our responsibility as journalists is to ask questions, seek answers and provide the electorate with the information they need to make informed decisions,” he said.
He added that the News Keg was not designed to endorse any candidate or political party but to promote constructive engagement, transparency and accountability.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Kwara State Correspondents’ Chapel, Biola Azeez, expressed delight at Danladi-Salihu’s acceptance of the invitation and participation in the programme.
Azeez reaffirmed the chapel’s commitment to maintaining cordial relations with political stakeholders while seeking stronger engagement and cooperation with the APC governorship candidate.
The event was attended by Danladi-Salihu’s running mate, Hon. Seun Ogunniyi; Chairman of Ilorin West Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Ladan; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminah El-Imam; members of the APC governorship campaign team and other stakeholders.
