The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Kwara State, Zakari Mohammed, has vowed to resist political godfatherism, promising to run an independent government if elected in the 2027 general elections.
The former lawmaker, while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin, criticised the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party and presented his proposals for addressing Kwara’s development challenges.
Mohammed stressed that his administration would be guided by fairness, justice, equity, and equal opportunities, arguing that the state needed a departure from the existing approach to governance.
He alleged that the APC governorship candidate, who is also the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, is being backed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Mohammed also claimed that the PDP candidate, Bolakale Kawu, is being backed by former Senate President Bukola Saraki ahead of the 2027 contest.
“I am the only governorship candidate in Kwara State that does not have a godfather,” Mohammed said. “Both the APC and PDP candidates are products of political godfatherism, which I am set out to put an end to,” he said.
Mohammed also challenged other governorship contenders to a public debate, saying the exercise would enable voters to assess their experience and plans before deciding who should lead the state.
“Let them call us together for a debate and let the people decide who has the experience and the better plans for Kwara,” he said.
Speaking on his agenda, the ADC candidate identified insecurity as his foremost concern, proposing stronger collaboration between residents and security agencies to improve intelligence gathering and respond to threats.
He advocated the principle of “If you see something, say something”, urging residents to report suspicious movements and activities to security operatives.
He argued that improved cooperation between communities and security agencies would help create a safer environment for residents, businesses, and investors.
On the economy, Mohammed identified unemployment and food affordability as issues his proposed administration would tackle, promising to create more job opportunities and support food-processing initiatives.
He also identified agriculture as a major opportunity for economic growth, saying Kwara’s agricultural potential could be better harnessed to generate employment, strengthen food production, and expand agro-processing activities.
The candidate promised to complete existing government projects that would benefit residents if elected, questioning the allocation of public resources to projects along Ahmadu Bello Way.
“The state government does not have a clear developmental agenda. Development is not all about erecting buildings and calling them projects, and even the projects are mostly concentrated on the Ahmadu Bello Way,” he said.
He maintained that government expenditure should be determined by public needs and the benefits projects would deliver rather than political considerations.
Defending his record in previous office, Mohammed insisted that he had discharged his responsibilities diligently and in accordance with the law.
He stated that he had never been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, or other anti-corruption agencies.
Mohammed also argued that the decision on who succeeds the incumbent governor rested with the electorate, insisting that no individual should determine the outcome of the 2027 governorship election on behalf of voters.
He urged Kwarans to support the ADC, presenting the party as an alternative to the APC and PDP and promising a government committed to accountability, fairness, and equal opportunities.