Kwara's Future: Why SYD is the Right Choice

Kwara State is at a crucial point. After more than 50 years, the State of Harmony needs a leader who understands its people. Kwara needs steady and responsible leadership. This means a leader who knows how government works and how to use public resources effectively to help everyday citizens.

For too long, Kwara suffered from leadership that focused on personal interests instead of stability. This has left rural areas behind, basic facilities in disrepair, and public trust low. Over the last seven years, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has worked hard to change this. He has rebuilt institutions, restored financial discipline, and introduced reforms that have strengthened the state. Kwara's future relies on keeping this progress going. Continuity means building on what has been achieved in the last seven years with new energy and a strong commitment to inclusive growth.

This is where a young leader like Salihu Yakubu Danladi, known as SYD, comes in. On 27 July 2026, at the Banquet Hall in Ilorin during the APC’s Youth Engagement programme themed “One Kwara Project, One Voice; Youths Driving APC Victory 2027,” Governor AbdulRazaq led a chant for him: “SYD! SYD!! SYD!!!” A sitting governor doesn’t support just anyone. At 41, SYD is a link between Kwara’s growth and its next chapter. He combines the energy of youth with the experience of someone who has been involved in state governance since 2019.

To lead Kwara into the future, we need someone with a solid record, not just empty promises. SYD was born on 31 May 1985 into a royal family in Gwanara, Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara North. He didn’t start his career in politics but in engineering. He got his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from Kaduna Polytechnic and a B.Tech from the Federal University of Technology, Minna. After completing his National Youth Service at the National Water Resources Institute in Mando, Kaduna, he worked at FUT Minna from 2010 to 2018. He is a member of COREN and the Nigerian Society of Engineers. Besides engineering, he earned an MBA in Revenue Management from Kwara State University, Malete, and a Master’s degree in Peace and Security Studies from Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, where he is now working on a doctorate. Engineering teaches how systems work, revenue management shows how public money is used, and peace studies explain community issues.

Since becoming Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly in 2019, he has shown he can handle one of the most challenging jobs in the state. He balances different interests, keeps the House disciplined, and holds the executive accountable while ensuring cooperation. Under his leadership, the Ninth and Tenth Assemblies passed 63 bills and considered over 100 important motions while regularly overseeing ministries, departments, and agencies. Key laws, like the Kwara State Public Procurement Law and the Sports Commission Law, have provided support for Governor AbdulRazaq’s reforms. His influence has also reached nationally, serving as Vice Chairman of the APC Northern Speakers’ Forum (2019, 2023) and Chairman of the APC Conference of Speakers in Nigeria (2024, 2026).

But the real test of a leader is what they do for the communities that are often ignored. In Baruten and across Kwara North, SYD's efforts speak volumes. He has improved access to clean water, contributed to road projects like the Ilesha-Gwanara Road, and supported local road upgrades to boost rural markets. In security, he helped upgrade the NSCDC outpost in Gwanara to a Divisional Office and supported training for community hunters and vigilantes, many of whom now work with the National Forest Security Service.

Solar-powered systems, streetlights, grid electricity, and renovated healthcare centres have brought help to underserved villages. In education and empowerment, SYD supported the Federal Science and Technical College in Gwanara, completed the KWASU Ilesha-Baruba campus, and provided scholarships, examination sponsorships, agricultural support for farmers, and aid for artisans, cultural groups, women, and youth.

In a crowded field where many shout without substance, SYD stands out with his readiness, achievements, and strong principles. Many candidates have ambition but lack a plan or real impact on the ground. SYD has the precision of an engineer, the discipline of a legislator, the reach of a national party figure, and the empathy of a grassroots politician. In over 50 years, no young Speaker has succeeded a sitting governor. His candidacy gives Kwara North, a crucial area for the state's agriculture and politics, a chance to produce the next governor, which is important for fairness and justice in Kwara.

Campaigns will run from 9 September 2026 to 4 February 2027. Voters will have the final say. But looking at SYD as he stands ready to lead at Ahmadu Bello House, it is clear: his story is not just about age. It is about ability, proven skill, and the readiness to lead Kwara into its brightest future.