By Desire Uzochukwu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kwara State, Rt. Hon. Salihu-Yakubu Danladi, has declared himself the most qualified candidate to lead the state in 2027, citing his legislative experience and familiarity with its development challenges.
Danladi, who is also the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, said his seven years in the legislature had equipped him with the experience and understanding required to provide purposeful leadership.
He pledged to sustain and improve on the achievements of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, insisting that the state needed continuity in its development drive rather than a return to what he described as its ugly past.
The APC candidate made the remarks during News Keg, an interactive programme organised by the Kwara State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), where he discussed his political journey, legislative record and plans for the state ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Danladi said his experience in the legislature gave him an advantage over other contenders, noting that his involvement in lawmaking, budgetary processes and oversight activities had exposed him to the workings of government and challenges across different sectors.
“I am not new to what is happening in Kwara State today. I have spent seven years in the legislature, no other candidate had any experience in government, I know virtually every sector and the challenges confronting the state,” he said.
Highlighting his academic background, the Speaker, an electrical engineering graduate, disclosed that he had undertaken additional programmes in revenue management, peace, conflict and security studies and was currently pursuing a PhD in economic development.
Reflecting on his representation of Ilesha/Gwanara Constituency, Danladi identified inadequate access to potable water, poor rural roads, healthcare, education and insecurity as some of the major concerns that shaped his interventions.
He said he facilitated the provision of about 210 boreholes across communities in the constituency during his first term, in addition to the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads.
One of the projects he highlighted was a 33-kilometre road connecting several communities, which he said had reduced travel difficulties for residents who previously spent hours navigating the route during the rainy season on journeys that should ordinarily take about 30 minutes.
In the health sector, Danladi said he facilitated interventions in 18 primary healthcare centres and supported efforts to improve existing general and cottage hospitals.
He added that his development interventions had extended beyond his constituency, explaining that his position as Speaker had enabled him to support projects and empowerment initiatives across other parts of the state.
On security, particularly in Kwara North, the APC candidate disclosed that he facilitated the training of 300 local security personnel to strengthen surveillance and intelligence gathering in vulnerable communities.
He said the initiative was particularly important for border settlements in Baruten Local Government Area, where residents faced security concerns.
Danladi stressed that security remained essential to development and called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and local authorities.
Outlining his priorities for the state, he identified human capital development, agriculture, electricity and rural infrastructure as key areas his proposed administration would focus on.
He explained that improving road connections between farming communities and urban markets would reduce transportation costs, increase farmers’ earnings and help lower food prices.
On electricity, the APC candidate acknowledged the challenges facing rural communities in Baruten, but said partnerships with investors had helped provide alternative power arrangements, including solar-powered electricity in some settlements.
He also described the establishment of the Federal Science and Technical College in Kwara North as an important development that would expand educational opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the district.
