APC chieftain Alabi declares governorship bid in Kwara, vows inclusive Devt

By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Alabi Oluwatoyin Tajudeen, on Monday formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 Kwara State governorship election.

Alabi used the occasion of his 63rd birthday celebration to unveil his ambition, pledging to deliver a “Greater Kwara for All.”

Addressing party leaders, traditional rulers, youths, women, clergy, and residents, he outlined a vision anchored on stability, inclusion, and economic growth.

“I stand before you not merely to celebrate another year, but to embrace the responsibility of leadership,” he said. “Kwara is blessed—with fertile land, resilient people, and rich culture—but potential alone does not build prosperity. What transforms a state is responsible leadership.”

He identified agriculture, education, healthcare, security, infrastructure, and tourism as priority sectors, urging young people to move beyond voting to becoming innovators and drivers of development.

Alabi stressed that his governorship ambition is rooted in a sense of responsibility to contribute to the state’s progress.

“With humility, conviction, and an unwavering belief in the greatness of our people, I hereby formally declare my intention to contest for the office of Governor of Kwara State. Together, we will build a Greater Kwara—not through slogans, but through structure; not through division, but through inclusion; not through improvisation, but through policy,” he added.

The declaration coincided with a policy dialogue organised by the Greater Kwara Foundation, bringing together policymakers, technocrats, and community leaders to discuss sustainable development strategies.

“Our duty is not just for the moment; it is to sustain and build on existing achievements. Prosperity must be deliberately structured to improve living standards and reduce poverty,” Alabi said.

Development expert David Olayemi called for structured economic planning, urging the state to draw lessons from successful Asian economies.

“Our dreams today can become reality tomorrow if we are intentional about them,” he said, highlighting the importance of investments in education, industrialisation, and human capital.

Also speaking, Johnson Bamidele Olorunsola Adewumi emphasised collective responsibility in driving inclusive development.

“There is nothing better than building on legacy and ensuring that what we do today benefits the next generation. Development is about improving lives, and that responsibility rests on all of us,” he said.

Panel discussions at the event focused on security, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, economic inclusion, and agricultural transformation, with participants calling for actionable policies to ensure long-term growth.

In his presentation titled “Building a Safe and Secure Kwara State Through Community Policing and Intelligence-led Strategy,” Ajayi Okasanmi advocated proactive approaches to addressing insecurity.

He stressed the need for intelligence-driven community policing, collaboration with local communities, and adequate government investment in security.

Participants at the event expressed a shared vision of positioning Kwara State as a model of sustainable development in Nigeria.