From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The 2027 governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kwara State, Prof. Abdulmumin Ajia, has pledged to dismantle political patronage in public service and establish transparent systems for recruitment, education, healthcare and economic opportunities if elected governor.
Ajia said his administration would ensure that access to government services and employment was determined by merit and established procedures rather than political connections, describing functional public institutions as the foundation of sustainable development.
He made the pledge during an engagement organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, under its News Keg series in Ilorin.
“My goal is that people should not need to know me personally before they get things done. Which depends on whom a citizen knows, and too little depends on the dependable public system. My mission is to change that relationship,” he said.
Related News
On education, Ajia promised to rehabilitate existing public schools, recruit qualified teachers, provide essential facilities and introduce measurable learning standards to ensure pupils acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills.
He also promised predictable, merit-based recruitment exercises, annual vacancy assessments and equal employment opportunities for qualified applicants across the 16 local government areas.
In healthcare, the university don pledged to pursue universal health insurance coverage, with government support for vulnerable households, alongside improved remuneration for medical personnel and the establishment of a medical sciences university.
He proposed industrial hubs with reliable electricity, improved access to land titles, agricultural development corridors and stronger partnerships with neighbouring states to stimulate investment and employment.
On security, he advocated collaboration among government, security agencies and communities, while promising support for displaced families and farmers affected by insecurity.
Ajia also proposed an independent audit of social intervention programmes to prevent political interference.
Earlier, Chairman of the News Keg Committee, Ibrahim Alege, represented by former Chapel chairman, Abdulhakeem Garba, challenged governorship candidates to move beyond campaign slogans and present practical, measurable solutions to Kwara’s challenges.
He described News Keg as an independent platform for accountability, stressing that it was not designed to endorse political parties or candidates.
The Correspondents’ Chapel Chairman, Alhaji Biola Azeez, acknowledged Ajia’s presence and commended the chapel’s role in promoting meaningful public engagement.
Ajia, an economist, scholar and entrepreneur with over 26 years of experience in academia, business and public policy, is contesting with Ajayi Israel Awolowo as his running mate.
