Danladi-Salihu Claims Most Experience Among Kwara Governorship Candidates

The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, has described himself as the most experienced and competent among those seeking to become the state’s next governor.

Danladi-Salihu made the assertion during an interview with BBC News Yoruba while responding to allegations that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had selected him as his preferred successor.

The Speaker dismissed the claims, arguing that his legislative record and years of experience in governance had prepared him for the position.

He cited his seven-and-a-half years as Speaker of the state Assembly as evidence of his leadership ability, saying his continued tenure demonstrated the confidence his colleagues had in him.

He argued that his colleagues would have removed him from office if he had failed to meet their expectations, adding that leading the 23-member legislature without major conflict reflected his competence.

Danladi-Salihu also said he possessed the educational qualifications required to govern the state, insisting that his experience in public service compared favourably with that of other contenders.

He attributed the stability of the ninth and 10th Assemblies to his leadership, noting that the legislature had maintained a cordial working relationship with the executive arm of government.

According to him, the Assembly had remained united and focused on lawmaking in support of the state’s development agenda, without major internal crises or confrontations with the executive.

The APC candidate said the experience had strengthened his ability to manage competing interests and build consensus among political stakeholders.

He pledged that, if elected governor in 2027, he would build on the achievements of the AbdulRazaq administration, particularly in attracting investment, promoting industrialisation and expanding agricultural development across Kwara State.