Kwara 2027: AOT declares governorship bid, unveils development agenda

By Ahmed Olayinka

Dr. Alabi Oluwatoyin Tajudeen (AOT) has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), unveiling a comprehensive vision focused on inclusive growth, stability, and sustainable development.

He made the declaration on Monday in Ilorin during a policy dialogue organised to mark his 63rd birthday, which drew a wide range of participants, including party leaders, traditional rulers, religious figures, youths, women, technocrats, and community stakeholders.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Alabi described his ambition as a call to service, stressing that Kwara’s abundant potential must be matched with responsible and purposeful leadership.

“I stand before you not just to celebrate a new age, but to accept the responsibility of destiny. Kwara is blessed with fertile land, resilient people and a rich cultural heritage, but it takes visionary leadership to translate potential into prosperity,” he said.

He outlined key priorities for his proposed administration, including transforming agriculture into a wealth-generating sector, improving the quality of education to meet global standards, strengthening security through proactive strategies, expanding access to affordable healthcare and developing infrastructure to boost connectivity and economic activities.

Dr. Alabi also called on young people to play active roles in shaping the future of the state, emphasizing that development must be intentional and inclusive.

“Together, we will build a Greater Kwara not through rhetoric, but through structure; not through division, but through inclusion; and not through improvisation, but through sound policies,” he added.

THE PRIME NEWS reports that the declaration formed part of a broader policy dialogue convened by the Greater Kwara Foundation to generate ideas for sustainable development in the state.

In his remarks, development expert, Dr. David Olayemi urged stakeholders to draw lessons from the economic success of countries like South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, stressing the importance of long-term planning and investment in human capital.

Also speaking, the founder of Thomas Adewumi University, Dr. Johnson Bamidele Olorunsola Adewumi, called for people-centered policies and collective responsibility in governance, urging leaders and citizens to prioritise decisions that will benefit future generations.

Panel discussions at the event focused on critical sectors such as security, education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, and economic inclusion, with participants advocating community policing, improved healthcare delivery and the transformation of agriculture into a value-driven industry.

The dialogue ended with a consensus on the need to translate ideas into actionable policies, with stakeholders expressing optimism about positioning Kwara State as a model of inclusive and sustainable development in Nigeria.

Another speaker at the event, former Police Relations Officer (PRO) in Kwara State, Ajayi Okasanmi, has raised concerns over the state’s security capacity, revealing that it does not own a single Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to combat insurgency and other security threats.

Okasanmi made this known on Monday in Ilorin, the state capital while speaking at the 63rd birthday of an All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant, Dr Alabi Oluwatoyin Tajudeen, where stakeholders gathered to deliberate on security and development issues affecting the state.

He emphasised the critical role of community participation in policing, noting that security is a collective responsibility that goes beyond the efforts of law enforcement agencies alone.

“Policing, as members of the community, involves collaborating with police personnel, providing them with useful information, and treating them as our brothers and sisters.

“Although this has been done to some extent, it has not been sufficient to eradicate the menace of insecurity in our country. That is why we are advocating intelligence-led policing,” he said.

Explaining further, the former Police spokesman described intelligence-led policing as a system driven by effective data gathering and collaboration between security agencies and the public.

“What is intelligence-led policing? It is a form of policing that focuses on data collection. When information is gathered from the public, the police process it and engage community stakeholders to work together in the fight against insurgency,” he explained.

Okasanmi linked the challenges facing policing in Nigeria to inadequate government support, poor welfare, and lack of modern equipment, despite the competence demonstrated by Nigerian police personnel during international assignments.

“One of the factors making it difficult for the Nigerian Police to perform optimally, unlike when they operate outside the country, is negligence and poor welfare. Many people see police officers as expendable, as if their lives do not matter.

“We also know that whenever police officers travel abroad for assignments, whether for peacekeeping or other duties, they return with outstanding commendations, often ranked among the best in Africa. So, why is it difficult for them to replicate the same performance at home?” he asked.

He urged the government to prioritise investment in security infrastructure, training, and welfare to enhance the effectiveness of security operations across the country.

“The government must do what is necessary if it truly intends to strengthen police operations in the country. This includes providing adequate equipment, logistics, improved welfare and continuous training to enable them to function more effectively,” he said.

Okasanmi also called on citizens to build trust with security agencies by providing timely and useful information, stressing that criminals often operate within communities where they are known but shielded by silence.