Kwara State governorship aspirant Dr. Azeez Salako Muyideen Olaniyin has placed security and infrastructure at the heart of his campaign after picking up his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Speaking in Abuja shortly after obtaining the forms, Olaniyin said securing Kwara’s borders was key to driving economic growth and boosting investor confidence.
He expressed confidence in the APC’s leadership and internal processes, dismissing concerns over the party’s primaries. “I have followed the party’s trajectory closely and I trust its current direction,” he said.
*‘Gaps to Fill’*
Asked how his administration would differ from the outgoing eight-year tenure, Olaniyin pointed to what he called critical gaps in the state.
“We have our peculiarities. Presently, we are having challenges in security, and infrastructure is not adequate. We also have problems in the health sector and education. These will be my priorities,” he said.
He argued that stability is non-negotiable for development. “Without a stable environment, investors do not want to come,” he said, promising a shift toward “tangible structures” and stronger protection of the state’s territory.
*Local Security Outfit Proposed*
Olaniyin warned that insecurity spilling from the North-East and North-West into the North Central cannot leave Kwara untouched. He called for a specialised local security outfit to complement the Nigeria Police Force.
“We rely on federal security and the police. They are trying their best, but it is not enough. We must have our own local security office that will secure our territory,” he stated.
He stressed that Kwara’s stability has national implications, saying stopping the spread of insecurity in the North Central is vital to preventing escalation elsewhere in the country.
