Kwara Candidate Kawu Talks Fairness and Power Shift

The Kwara State governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bolakale Kawu, speaks with DARE AKOGUN about the push for power to move to Kwara North and the impact of the crisis in the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the upcoming 2027 election.

The issues within the APC in Kwara State have led a sitting senator, Saliu Mustapha, to join your party, PDP. How do you view this political change?

Any major shift in politics matters, but we need to look past just names and numbers. When people leave one party for the PDP, it shows they see something appealing here or are unhappy with their previous party. Mustapha’s move to the PDP adds a new twist to the 2027 race, especially since he has publicly stated that leaving the APC does not mean he is abandoning President Bola Tinubu.

But elections are not won by just switching parties. They are won by trust, organization, candidates, policies, and the ability to engage voters on the ground. My goal is to create a wide coalition that includes not just former APC members or PDP members. We want to connect with the average worker, farmer, trader, student, professional, woman, youth, and elder citizen.

I will welcome everyone who truly supports our Kwara People First agenda, but we will not center the campaign around one person. The campaign is about Kwara and the future of its citizens.

We should not rely on the APC’s issues to win. That would be a mistake. The PDP needs to win because the people believe we have a better plan and the capacity to govern. Our approach is different. We are rebuilding from the grassroots, strengthening our structures, engaging communities, listening to the people, and offering a clear policy alternative.

We must also learn from the past. The PDP cannot just say, “APC has problems, so vote for us.” We must answer the question: Why should the people trust us again? That is why we focus on a new generation of leadership, accountability, competence, and a clear plan for security, infrastructure, human capital, and economic growth.

The APC is pushing for power to rotate to Kwara North, but you are from Kwara Central. Why should people support your candidacy?

I understand the argument, but I believe the discussion should not turn into a battle of geographical identities. I am from Kwara Central, but I am running to govern all of Kwara State. I also recognize the real concerns behind the push for rotation. People want fairness, inclusion, and a sense of belonging.

My response is to acknowledge those concerns. Under a Kawu administration, no part of the state will be seen as less important. Kwara North has great potential, especially in agriculture, tourism, natural resources, and human capital. It needs the investment to unlock that potential. The people of Kwara North should see themselves as partners in government, not just as recipients waiting for favors from Ilorin.

I believe every part of Kwara deserves fair treatment. Whether we call it rotation, zoning, or power sharing, the main idea should be fairness. But I do not want the conversation to suggest that a certain area automatically deserves government without discussing what we plan to do with power. My promise is that every part of Kwara will have a role in government.

Your critics say you are a political protégé of former Senate President Bukola Saraki. Will you be an independent governor if elected?

I have great respect for Dr Bukola Saraki and other leaders. I will not deny my relationship with him, not just as a party leader but also as a respected figure in my community. I hold the title of Dan Iya of Ilorin.

Respecting a political leader does not mean giving up my responsibilities. If I become governor, I will follow the constitution, and the people of Kwara will be my main concern. I have my own experiences, beliefs, and understanding of what Kwara needs. Being a leader does not mean ignoring those before you. It means having the guts to take responsibility for your own choices. If I make a decision as governor, I will stand by it.

O To Ge was a clear reminder that no political party can take the people for granted. It showed that citizens judge governments not just by promises, but by how they experience governance.

I would highlight three main lessons: the risk of losing touch with the people, the need for ongoing communication and engagement, and the importance of managing internal issues for the people’s benefit.

But I am not asking Kwara people to return to the past. What I can do is learn from history, listen to the people, and apply those lessons for the future. I want the people to judge me by my character, my service record, my understanding of their challenges, and my seriousness about my commitments. Our message is not “bring back the past.” It is “build a better future.”

Our plan is straightforward, ‘Kwara People First’. The government must first ensure safety and then create conditions for people to thrive. Security is the top priority. A government cannot talk about prosperity when farmers are scared to go to their farms, communities are vulnerable, and families do not feel safe.

Next is infrastructure, especially roads, power, water, and other basics that support economic activities. Third is human capital development, including education, healthcare, and opportunities for youth and women. Fourth is economic growth and job creation. Kwara cannot rely mainly on government jobs.

We must develop an economy focused on agriculture, agro-processing, small businesses, technology, and other productive sectors. Our plan will not just be promises. We will set clear targets, timelines, and ways for the people to track progress.

The Federal Government’s decision to boost military presence in Kwara is good, and I commend President Tinubu for this step. But while we appreciate this support, the state government must not fully depend on the Federal Government for the safety of its people.

My government will collaborate with the Federal Government and security agencies to create a more coordinated, intelligence-driven, and community-focused security system. One of our key projects will be a Kwara Integrated Security Command Centre, where security agencies can share information, coordinate efforts, and respond quickly to new threats.

We will also enhance the capacity of local vigilante groups. They usually know first when something goes wrong in their areas, but they must not work without proper support, training, or equipment. The goal is not to form rival forces or promote vigilantism. It is to ensure community security efforts work within the law and support established security agencies.

Our farmers should be safe on their farms. Our roads should be secure, and our communities should have working emergency response systems.

Debt is not entirely negative. The key is what you borrow, why, how much, and whether the investment will bring enough economic return to justify it.

I would insist on careful project evaluation before borrowing. We must focus on projects that boost economic productivity, roads that open agricultural pathways, infrastructure that supports industry, energy projects, and other investments that grow the state’s economy.

We will also boost our internal revenue without overburdening ordinary citizens and businesses. Most importantly, the government must be open about borrowing and spending. The people should know what was borrowed, for which project, how much has been spent, and what value the project has created. Public funds are not government money. They belong to the people.

I would tell voters not to choose the past; vote for the future. The past is history. We must learn from it and move ahead. I am offering a new chapter. I am ready for public service to make a difference and serve the people.

My promise is simple: a safer Kwara, a more productive Kwara, and a more prosperous Kwara, where the government works for the people and public resources are treated with care. If the people believe I can deliver this, they should give me their support, and if they do, I will always remember that the support belongs to them.