Kwara South Senator Expresses Desire to Run for Governorship in 2027 Elections

Lola Ashiru, serving as the Deputy Senate Leader, has officially declared his intention to vie for the governorship seat in Kwara State during the 2027 general elections.

Ashiru, who represents the Kwara South District, made this announcement while engaging with the executive members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State, at his residence in Offa.

He stated, “My decision to contest stems from my confidence that I possess the necessary credentials to effectively lead Kwara State for the next four-year term following the 2027 elections. Furthermore, I believe I have a profound understanding of both the people and the geography of Kwara, having resided here longer than any of my competitors.”

Currently, the governorship is held by AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who hails from the central senatorial district, while his predecessor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, served two consecutive terms representing Kwara South from 2011 to 2018.

Notably, the Kwara North district has not had a governor since Shaaba Lafiagi’s term, which lasted from January 1983 to November 1985. This has sparked discussions about the necessity for the Kwara North district to produce the next governor in 2027.

Ashiru emphasized that elections should be based on merit rather than regional claims to power: “The most important approach is to allow the populace to elect the most competent leader. I empathize with Kwara North's desire for representation, as they have historically been underrepresented, but power is not merely handed out; it must be earned. Candidates must put themselves forward for consideration, regardless of their religious background, given that individuals from both Christian and Muslim communities have previously succeeded in Kwara State elections.”

On the recent bandit attacks in the Kaiama Local Government Area, Ashiru urged governments at all levels to enhance border security and promote shared prosperity amongst communities near the borders.

He asserted that managing these border communities effectively will lead to a significant decline in criminal activities: “It is crucial that our border connections with neighboring communities are strengthened. The primary step in this direction is to ensure economic prosperity across these areas.”

Asserting the need for focused attention on border and peripheral settlements, he referred to them as the first line of defense against threats.

He also mentioned that states sharing boundaries should adopt a unified strategy to promote welfare and development in their border regions. “Niger State must safeguard its territory by fostering economic growth; Kwara State should pursue the same goal, and Kogi State needs to ensure prosperity along the Eruku and Koro areas. If we adopt this strategy, we can significantly mitigate issues related to violence and insecurity,” he added.

Ashiru commended the community of Woro for their strength and extended prayers for the victims of the recent attacks in both Woro and Kaiama.

“We must remember the countless victims who have lost their lives. I commend the Federal Government for its initiatives aimed at protecting citizens' lives,” he concluded.

He further advocated for a proactive developmental strategy by governments, particularly at the state level, to tackle insecurity and foster lasting peace across Nigeria.