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By Victor Babayemi
The governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kwara State, Prince Adetoyese Omokanye, has pledged to reposition the state through inclusive governance, rural transformation, infrastructural development and people-oriented policies if elected in 2027.
Omokanye made the pledge during a campaign rally in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, where he expressed concern over what he described as years of infrastructural neglect and inadequate government presence in several rural communities.
He expressed concern that many communities in the local government area continued to struggle with poor infrastructure and limited access to basic social amenities, describing the situation as worrisome and unacceptable.
“The continued neglect of our communities is worrisome and unacceptable. Government must be felt by the people, irrespective of where they live or their political affiliations,” he said.
The NNPP candidate, who was accompanied by the party’s National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major; Deputy Governorship Candidate, Hajia Zururat Romoke Zubair; State Chairman, Alhaji Lamidi Shoku; his wife, Mrs Dorcas Omokanye; and other party chieftains, promised to prioritise rural development and improve the living conditions of residents across the state.
He outlined plans to expand access to electricity, provide safe drinking water, mechanise agriculture, construct new roads, strengthen commercial activities, tackle insecurity and empower women and young people.
Earlier, Omokanye had paid a courtesy visit to the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Oladele Adeoti, at his palace, where he presented his vision of a community-driven governance model.
Under the proposed arrangement, traditional rulers and community leaders would play active roles in policy formulation, project planning and implementation to ensure that government programmes address the actual needs and aspirations of the people.
He also pledged to govern with the fear of God, accountability and a strong sense of responsibility, stressing that his ambition was to build a prosperous and economically vibrant Kwara State.
Responding, the monarch, who was accompanied by palace chiefs, acknowledged Omokanye’s commitment to community service, which he said dated back to his childhood.
Oba Adeoti expressed confidence in the NNPP candidate’s leadership capacity, noting that he possessed the qualities required to lead the state towards prosperity in 2027 and beyond.
At a subsequent reception organised in an open space by NNPP leaders, religious leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders in Irepodun Local Government Area, Omokanye urged residents to move beyond merely demanding good governance and become active participants in the process of electing credible leaders.
Taking a historical perspective on the developmental challenges confronting the area, he called for unity behind a government with the understanding, political will and economic vision to address the needs of the people.
He particularly regretted what he described as the marginalisation of Omu-Aran in the distribution of government projects, arguing that many of the community’s visible developmental achievements had resulted from individual contributions and communal self-help efforts rather than government intervention.
“I commend the people of Omu-Aran for their remarkable communal spirit and commitment to self-help development. However, government must become a genuine partner in advancing the development aspirations of our communities,” he stated.
The NNPP flagbearer assured residents that his proposed administration would ensure equitable distribution of development projects and expand economic opportunities across the state.
He further emphasised that his administration would promote social advancement, improve living conditions and ensure that no community was left behind on account of its geographical location or political affiliation.
Thousands of supporters at the rally expressed solidarity with Omokanye’s governorship ambition, pledging their support for the NNPP candidate. They also expressed optimism about his capacity to provide what they described as competent, God-fearing and people-centred leadership capable of repositioning Kwara State for sustainable development.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of party flags to NNPP candidates contesting other elective positions in the state.
The party’s National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major, presented the flags to the candidates and charged them to mobilise support across their constituencies, assuring the electorate of effective representation and improved service delivery if elected.
