The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Kwara State, Abdulmumin Ajia, has flagged off his campaign for the 2027 governorship election with a promise to prioritize security, education, healthcare, job creation, and infrastructure if elected.
Ajia, who launched his campaign in Ilorin on Thursday, also unveiled his “Forward Kwara Agenda,” which he said was designed to provide an integrated development plan for the state.
The candidate took a swipe at the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, describing the two major parties as representatives of what he called “old politics.”
He said the APC and PDP approach to governance was characterized by scattered projects and political convenience rather than a coordinated development strategy.
“The APC and PDP represent the old approach of scattered projects, political convenience, and programs that do not work together,” Ajia said.
He said the NDC would adopt a different approach by linking security, education, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, employment, and development at the local level.
Ajia promised to strengthen public schools and health facilities, expand affordable health insurance, improve roads and public transportation, and support traders, artisans, farmers, and small businesses.
He also pledged to link education and skills acquisition to employment, boost agricultural production and processing, and develop a framework for tackling outstanding pensioners’ gratuities.
The candidate said his administration would publish its major commitments, timelines, and the institutions responsible for their implementation to enable residents to monitor its performance.
“We will publish our commitments. We will report our progress. We will explain delays. And we will accept responsibility for our performance,” he stated.
Ajia said his campaign would focus on issues rather than attacks on political opponents, adding that he was seeking office to serve the people and not to enrich himself.
“I will never be party to anything or anyone that will corrupt the system,” he said.
He also urged voters to hold elected officials accountable, warning against allowing party loyalty to override the interests of the state.
“Do not give us four years of silence. Do not defend us when we are wrong simply because you voted for us,” Ajia said.
As part of the campaign activities, the NDC candidate toured parts of Ilorin and interacted with residents and traders before visiting some traditional leaders to seek their support and blessings.
He visited the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin and the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin Emirate, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku.
Ajia also visited the scene of an accident around Taiwo Road, where he sympathized with victims and obtained their contact details, promising to assist them.
At the campaign flag-off, he presented a retired educationist, Elder Ajayi Israel Awolowo, as his running mate and introduced the party’s candidates for the National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.
The NDC candidate urged Kwarans to vote for the party’s candidates across the governorship, National Assembly, and state Assembly elections, saying a uniform mandate would enable the party to implement its development plans.
“We are not asking for a blank check. We are asking for the opportunity to serve and accepting the obligation to account for that service,” he said.
