Five Governorship Candidates Attend ASKOMP Discourse
Five governorship candidates on Friday, November 6, 2026, participated in a manifesto discourse organised by the Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP) ahead of the 2027 governorship election, while candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were notably absent.
The candidates who honoured the invitation 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).
Held at Rotana Hotel, Ilorin, the event provided an opportunity for the candidates to present their manifestos, explain their policy positions and outline their development plans to stakeholders and representatives of various interest groups across Kwara State.
Those in attendance included representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kwara Must Change, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD), and community-based organisations representing the three senatorial districts.
In his welcome address, ASKOMP Chairman, Salihu Shola Taofeek, said the initiative was designed to provide governorship candidates with a platform to articulate their leadership visions, policy directions and development priorities ahead of the 2027 elections.
He explained that the engagement was also aimed at promoting issue-based political discourse, encouraging constructive interaction between candidates and citizens, and helping the electorate make informed choices at the polls.
Zakari Faults APC, PDP Candidates, Promises Technology-Driven Security
The ADC governorship candidate, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, expressed confidence in his ability to transform Kwara State, pointing to his academic qualifications, including a PhD from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, and his experience in public service as a former commissioner and member of the House of Representatives.
He criticised the absence of the APC and PDP governorship candidates, Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi and Engr. Bolakale Kawu, respectively, questioning their willingness to engage directly with stakeholders on their plans for the state.
Zakari also accused the two major political parties of pursuing political interests that, according to him, would not guarantee independent leadership for Kwara.
He argued that voting for the APC candidate would amount to supporting a third-term agenda by proxy, while a vote for the PDP candidate would sustain what he described as a fifth-term political ambition.
“Supporting the APC candidate means a third term by proxy, while Kale Kawu will be serving a fifth term. I will be a governor who takes decisions independently without rushing to a godfather for clearance,” he said.
He appealed to Kwarans to support the ADC, promising to reposition the state and place it among Nigeria’s leading states in terms of development.
On security, the former lawmaker pledged to deploy sophisticated technologies to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other security threats confronting communities across the state.
He criticised the current administration’s handling of insecurity, insisting that protecting lives and property would be a major priority under his government.
Zakari further promised prudent management of public resources and a fair distribution of development projects across the three senatorial districts.
He identified rural infrastructure deficits and economic stagnation as challenges requiring urgent attention, promising to improve infrastructure in underserved communities and revive the state’s economy.
The ADC candidate also claimed that Kaiama Local Government Area has the highest deposits of lithium in Nigeria, stressing the need for Kwara to harness its mineral resources to boost internally generated revenue and accelerate economic growth.
Ajia Unveils Six-Pillar ‘Kwara Forward’ Development Agenda
The NDC governorship candidate, Prof. Abdulmumeen Yinka Ajia, presented his manifesto, tagged *Kwara Forward*, outlining a six-pillar development agenda for the state.
He identified security, education and economic development as major priorities, promising a policy-driven administration focused on improving governance and the living conditions of residents.
Ajia said his return from the United States to attend the ASKOMP discourse reflected his respect for the people of Kwara State and his recognition of the importance of engaging with stakeholders.
“We respect our people and ASKOMP. I returned to Nigeria from the United States to attend this Manifesto Discourse. The Kwara Forward Manifesto has six pillars, with security, education and the economy as priority areas,” he stated.
The university professor also questioned the experience of the APC governorship candidate, Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, arguing that he lacked the necessary experience to govern the state.
He further declared that the NDC would resist what he described as an attempt to secure a third term for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq through a proxy candidate.
“We will not allow Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s third term by proxy,” Ajia declared.
APP Candidate Promises ₦100,000 Bursary, Free Healthcare
The APP governorship candidate, Omotosho Bamidele Olaitan, outlined an agenda centred on education, agriculture, healthcare, skills development and rural transformation.
He promised to introduce a ₦100,000 bursary for Kwara students in tertiary institutions and provide free healthcare services for vulnerable members of society.
Olaitan also pledged to explore the state’s untapped and abandoned mineral resources as part of efforts to increase internally generated revenue, noting that sustainable development could not depend solely on allocations from the Federation Account.
He said his proposed administration would invest in skills-based education, strengthen agricultural activities and improve rural infrastructure to create economic opportunities and enhance the welfare of residents.
SDP Candidate Pledges Local Government Autonomy
The SDP governorship candidate, Dr. Ridwanullahi Apaokagi, promised to implement local government autonomy in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution to strengthen grassroots governance and accelerate development.
Apaokagi, a medical doctor, said granting local councils the necessary administrative and financial independence would enable them to deliver more effectively on their responsibilities to communities.
He also pledged increased investment in healthcare and education, describing both sectors as critical to human capital development and the overall progress of the state.
NDP Candidate Outlines Plans for Kwara’s Development
The NDP governorship candidate, Deacon Shola Victor Abioye, also presented his vision for the state, outlining an agenda aimed at accelerating development, improving governance and advancing the welfare of residents.
He emphasised the importance of purposeful leadership and policies capable of delivering sustainable growth across Kwara State.
ASKOMP: All 12 Governorship Candidates Were Invited
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 appearing on the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He commended the five candidates who attended the event, describing their participation as an important demonstration of their willingness to engage with the electorate and explain their proposed policies.
Tijjani reaffirmed the importance of the discourse in promoting democratic participation, accountability and issue-based political engagement ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The event provided stakeholders with an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, examine their policy proposals and assess their readiness to address the developmental challenges confronting Kwara State.
HIGHLIGHTS: KEY STATEMENTS FROM THE DISCOURSE
Hon. Zakari Mohammed (ADC):
“If you vote for Candidate A, you are supporting a governor’s third-term agenda by proxy, and if you vote for Candidate B, you are supporting a former governor’s fifth-term agenda.”
“If elected Governor of Kwara State, my administration will deploy sophisticated technologies to tackle the longstanding security challenges confronting the state.”
“Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State has the highest deposits of lithium in Nigeria.”
Prof. Abdulmumeen Yinka Ajia (NDC):
“Danladi lacks the experience to govern Kwara State. We will not allow Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s third term by proxy.”
Omotosho Bamidele Olaitan (APP):
“My government will prioritise skills-based education, agriculture, free healthcare and rural development.”
