‎Kwara 2027: PWS’s entry heightens Governorship race

‎‎By Comrade Ishaq Adewara
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‎The political atmosphere in Kwara State is gradually intensifying as Professor Wale Sulaiman, a renowned neurosurgeon and former Special Adviser on Health Matters to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, signals his intention to join the 2027 governorship contest.
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‎Sulaiman, who gained prominence during the 2023 Kwara South senatorial race, brings with him a blend of professional excellence and public service experience.
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‎His tenure in Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration was marked by notable contributions, particularly in the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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‎According to the APC Kwara Progressives Forum, the respected medical expert has expressed readiness to leverage his vast international experience and commitment to improving the welfare of Kwarans.
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‎Prof. Sulaiman boasts an impressive global medical career, having served as a Professor of Neurosurgery at Tulane University and held strategic leadership roles within the Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, United States.
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‎His positions included System Chairman of Neurosurgery and Co-Medical Director of a Neuroscience Institute.
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‎During his time in Kwara, he collaborated with government officials and key stakeholders to implement strategies that helped contain the spread of COVID-19.
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‎A major milestone of that period was the revival of the long-abandoned oxygen plant at Sobi Specialist Hospital, which had remained non-functional for nearly a decade.
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‎In addition to infrastructure improvements, he introduced a comprehensive healthcare master plan aimed at expanding access to affordable and quality medical services.
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‎The proposal also sought to reposition the Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre as a medical tourism hub capable of attracting both local and international patients and partnerships.
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‎Sulaiman further strengthened ties between the state government and Kwarans in the diaspora by facilitating the unification of diaspora associations under a single platform known as Kwarans in Diaspora (KID).
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‎This body later partnered with the state on several development initiatives, including the donation of critical medical equipment such as hand-sanitising machines during the pandemic.
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‎Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has previously commended Sulaiman’s contributions, describing him as a seasoned professional whose expertise significantly influenced key health policies and interventions in the state.
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‎Politically, the governorship hopeful has built a reputation for maintaining strong relationships with party leaders and stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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‎He is widely regarded as a unifying figure with the capacity to foster cohesion within the party.
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‎His performance in the 2023 Kwara South senatorial election, where he secured over 27,000 votes, further underscored his growing political influence and acceptance across various segments of the electorate.
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‎Observers believe that his unique combination of professional achievement, inclusive politics and grassroots engagement positions him as a key contender in Kwara State’s evolving political landscape.
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‎Adewara, is a political activist based in Ilorin.