The Kwara governorship race for 2027 assumed a fresh dimension yesterday as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Prof. Abdulmumeen Olayinka Ajia, formally launched his campaign with a promise to overhaul education and healthcare and make governance work for ordinary citizens.
Ajia, who spoke at the campaign flag-off in Ilorin, said his ambition was driven by a desire to improve the welfare of residents and create opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed.
He vowed not to participate in any arrangement that could compromise public institutions or turn government into a vehicle for personal enrichment.
‘I will never be party to anything or anyone that will corrupt the system,’ he said, adding that he wanted to see children of ordinary Nigerians succeed in life.
The NDC candidate challenged voters to hold him accountable if elected, stressing that public office should be about service, responsibility and measurable results.
Ajia said his administration would pursue a functional education system capable of giving children the skills and opportunities required to compete and succeed.
He also promised to strengthen healthcare delivery, saying the welfare of Kwara residents would remain central to his administration.
The candidate said he would draw lessons from the educational initiatives associated with NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, which he said had opened opportunities for children from less privileged backgrounds.