2027: Security, healthcare, infrastructure, education top Kwara NDC candidate’s agenda
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kwara State, Prof. Abdulmumin Ajia, has said security, healthcare, infrastructure, education and accountability will top his priorities if elected governor in the 2027 general election.
Ajia made this known on Wednesday while featuring on News Keg, an interactive session organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, in Ilorin.
The associate professor of economics also promised to increase the state’s minimum wage from the current ₦70,000 to ₦120,000, saying his administration would have the financial capacity to implement the proposed increment.
“If elected as governor in January, I will move our civil servants from ₦70,000 monthly salary to ₦120,000. We can pay the money; our problem is just that those in government have not thought of it and have not reduced their crave for personal enrichment,” he said.
On healthcare, Ajia promised to improve the welfare of health workers, expand access to health insurance and introduce annual medical check-ups as part of a preventive healthcare programme. He also said he would work with the relevant medical regulatory authorities to secure more admission slots for Kwara indigenes and ensure their employment after completing their studies.
On infrastructure and transportation, the NDC candidate proposed introducing a light rail system to address transportation challenges and reduce the cost of intra-community movement. He also lamented what he described as the neglect of Kwara North and South in the distribution of infrastructure, promising to address the imbalance through equitable development.
To tackle the development gap, Ajia proposed establishing a regional development body to be known as the Kwara North Regional Authority (KNRA), which he said would focus on addressing infrastructure deficits in the northern senatorial district. He also pledged to strengthen security and invest in infrastructure to expand economic activities across urban and rural communities.
Furthermore, Ajia promised to review the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASIP) through an independent audit to ensure it meets its objectives. He said his administration would pursue inclusive governance, improve the state’s revenue base and build a functional system capable of positioning Kwara alongside states such as Lagos, Rivers and Kaduna.
