2027 Elections: Kwara Inclusion Advocates Call for Competence, Inclusion

The Convener, Barrister Tunji Adeyemi with Dr David Olayemi at the press conference in Ilorin

Ilorin — The Kwara Inclusion Advocates (KIA) on Saturday urged political actors in the state to prioritise competence, inclusion and peace over zoning.

Speaking at the KIA 2025 Press Conference and Mini Summit in Ilorin, the Convener, Barrister Tunji Adeyemi, warned that prolonged exclusion could threaten social cohesion and peace and harmony in the state.

He said the group was not motivated by religious agitation but by the need to stabilise Kwara politically and socially ahead of the next general elections.

Adeyemi acknowledged that feelings of alienation persist in different parts of the state, particularly in Kwara South, stressing that ignoring such sentiments could breed resentment and insecurity.

According to him, leadership in Kwara must not be treated as an entitlement or a “turn-by-turn souvenir” but as capacity to govern effectively under pressure.

“As 2027 approaches, Kwara is under pressure from insecurity, declining trust and rising anxiety among citizens. These challenges cannot be solved by sentiment or rigid zoning but by strategy, competence and inclusive reassurance,” he said.

While respecting calls for zoning the governorship to Kwara North, Adeyemi argued that competence must remain the overriding criterion, adding that competence in a plural society must also be seen and trusted across religious and regional lines.

He maintained that a competent Christian candidate should not be structurally excluded if such a person emerges through an open and competitive process.

Drawing from history, Adeyemi recalled the election of the late Cornelius Adebayo in 1983 and the legacies of former military governor George Innih as evidence that Kwarans have previously embraced leadership beyond identity when competence was evident.

The event attracted prominent stakeholders who echoed the call for inclusive leadership. Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo emphasised that competence remains the strongest unifying factor in governance, noting that development thrives where merit prevails over sentiment.

Also Dr. David Olayemi, in his contribution, highlighted youth empowerment as critical to peace and long-term stability, urging leaders to deliberately invest in young people ahead of 2027.

Prof. (Mrs.) Kudirat Bolanle Saliu of the University of Ilorin, also called for the deliberate inclusion of women in political leadership and decision-making, stressing that no society can progress while sidelining half of its population.

KIA concluded with an appeal to traditional rulers to maintain neutrality, warning that partisan alignment could weaken their unifying authority.

The group insisted that the real question for 2027 is not whose turn it is, but who can heal, secure and unite Kwara State.