Female aspirant joins Kwara gov race

Kwara State has recorded another notable political development as Hajia Musiliat Yetunde, a retired civil servant, declared her intention to vie for the 2027 governorship seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, adding to the growing list of female contenders in the race.

Speaking to Arewa PUNCH in Ilorin on Wednesday, Yetunde said her ambition is driven by a desire to build on the achievements of the present administration and provide compassionate, inclusive leadership for the people of the state.

“I stand before you today to express myself, not just as an aspirant to the exalted position of governor of our dear state, but also as a mother and compassionate builder of character, ready to carry the baton of the invaluable developmental strides recorded by our darling governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.”

She commended the current administration for what she described as a paradigm shift across key sectors, noting that investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth development, and women’s participation have repositioned Kwara for broader recognition.

“Without any doubt, Kwara has experienced a significant shift in its narrative under our performing governor, especially in all facets of endeavour, placing the state on the global map of recognition that may not be easily matched.”

While highlighting her policy direction, Yetunde outlined priority areas to include: education, healthcare, youth and women empowerment, infrastructure, security, agriculture, energy, and water supply, promising to consolidate on existing gains while introducing people-focused reforms.

“Education will receive adequate attention through improved funding and access, while a comprehensive health insurance scheme will ensure all citizens have access to quality healthcare.”

On inclusion and development, she pledged to expand opportunities for young people and women in governance while strengthening infrastructure and security through enhanced collaboration and community participation.

“We will prioritise youth and women empowerment, consolidate on infrastructure development across the 16 local government areas, and scale up security efforts through improved inter-agency collaboration and intelligence gathering.”

She further emphasised agriculture and energy as key drivers of economic growth, alongside improved water supply through investment in infrastructure and alternative energy solutions.

“As the mainstay of the economy, agriculture will receive adequate investment to ensure food sufficiency, while solar energy will be deployed in strategic areas to boost industrial growth, and potable water will be made accessible to all residents.”

Declaring her readiness to lead, Yetunde called for support from party members and the electorate, particularly women, to rally behind her ambition.

“I have what it takes to fly the party’s flag at the forthcoming elections as a woman successor to the governor, and I urge everyone, especially women, to come out en masse and support this cause. It is women o’clock.”

Yetunde’s declaration comes after another female aspirant, Hon. Mahalia Aisha Ahman-Pategi, earlier signalled her intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State, underscoring a gradual increase in women’s participation at the highest level of the state’s political landscape.