“We’ll Establish Kwara North And Kwara South Commissions,” Omar Bolaji Gambari Declares Governorship Bid, Vows To Tackle Insecurity, Boost Agriculture

Ilorin Kwara State — A prominent political figure in Kwara State, Omar Bolaji Gambari, on Monday formally declared his intention to contest for the governorship of the state, unveiling an ambitious governance agenda that focuses on security, prosperity, people-centered policies, ethical leadership, and strategic partnerships.

Gambari made the declaration in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during an event held at Noktel Hotel, where he addressed journalists, supporters, and political stakeholders about his vision for the future of the state.

During his speech, Gambari announced that part of his plan for balanced development across the state includes the establishment of Kwara North and Kwara South Commissions, aimed at accelerating development and addressing long-standing regional disparities.

According to him, governance must prioritise the people and ensure that every citizen enjoys equal access to opportunities and essential services.

“The most important part of any country or state is its people,” Gambari said. “Our agenda is centered around the people. We must guarantee access — fair access and equal access — to healthcare, equitable education, accommodation, housing, and employment opportunities.”

He emphasised that when citizens are empowered and lifted out of poverty, the entire community becomes stronger.

“When you lift your people up, your community becomes strong,” he said.

Security and Protection of Lives

Gambari also devoted a significant portion of his address to the worsening insecurity in Kwara State and across Nigeria, describing safety as a fundamental right of citizens.

“Our people need to live in a safe and secure environment,” he said. “They need to feel safe in their homes, confident in their institutions, and secure about their future.”

According to him, security must go beyond rhetoric and involve modern strategies that enable citizens to carry out their daily activities without fear.

“We must adopt modern techniques to ensure that safety and security are not just words but practical realities where people can go about their business without fear,” he said.

He added that protecting citizens also involves planning ahead and anticipating threats that could destabilize society.

“Being a leader means always looking around the corner to identify possible threats that could affect our stability. Issues like climate change and global crises can impact our communities if we are not prepared,” Gambari stated.

Addressing Root Causes of Insecurity

Speaking further, Gambari argued that insecurity cannot be solved by merely blaming bandits or herdsmen without understanding the root causes of their actions.

“It is not enough to say herdsmen or bandits are responsible for these crimes,” he said. “We must ask why they are doing it.”

According to him, many security challenges arise from the existence of ungoverned spaces where government presence is absent.

“Research shows that when you have large ungoverned spaces — areas where there are no schools, no offices, no businesses, and no government presence — criminal elements move in and take advantage of that vacuum,” he explained.

Gambari added that financial incentives often drive crimes such as kidnapping.

“These criminals know that if they kidnap your brother, your sister, your father, or even your child, families will do everything possible to pay ransom. They use the money to buy more weapons, creating a vicious cycle that continues,” he said.

He stressed that addressing insecurity requires both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.

“Non-kinetic solutions focus on the root causes such as poverty, hunger, and lack of opportunities,” he said. “People must have legitimate ways to earn a living so they are not incentivized to commit crimes.”

“Kinetic solutions involve the security forces responding to attacks — the military, the police, and other agencies confronting criminals directly.”

Gambari argued that combining the two approaches is the only sustainable way to solve the problem.

“We must adopt a holistic approach. Non-kinetic and kinetic strategies must work together if we truly want to solve insecurity.”

Economic Prosperity and Job Creation

Turning to economic development, Gambari described unemployment as one of the biggest challenges facing young people in the state.

He noted that governments alone cannot provide enough jobs for the growing population.

“Everyone wants to work for the federal or state government,” he said. “But how many people can government employ?”

Instead, he said his administration would focus on enabling the private sector to create jobs.

“If we have 1,000 companies in this state and each company employs 100 people, you can do the mathematics,” Gambari said.

He explained that businesses do not have to be large multinational corporations to create impact.

“It doesn’t have to be giant industries like Coca-Cola,” he said. “Small businesses that can pay salaries and create decent livelihoods are just as important.”

Agricultural Transformation Plan

Gambari also outlined an agricultural development strategy that he believes could transform the economy of Kwara State.

According to him, agriculture represents the state’s strongest comparative advantage.

“The fastest way for our state to grow economically is through agriculture,” he said.

However, he noted that improving agricultural productivity requires addressing security challenges first.

“There is no point telling people to go to the farm if the land is not safe,” he said.

He proposed a large-scale farming model driven by government-supported infrastructure.

“The government can acquire large areas of land — 10,000 or even 20,000 hectares — clear them, level them, and install industrial irrigation systems,” he explained.

Such irrigation systems, he said, would allow farmers to grow crops throughout the year instead of depending solely on seasonal rainfall.

“We must stop waiting for the rainy season before planting. With irrigation, farming can happen all year round,” he said.

Under the plan, citizens would then be allocated plots of land to cultivate crops with strong market demand.

“We will invite citizens to come and farm,” Gambari said. “Even those who went to school can practice agriculture as a business.”

He cited hibiscus farming as one example of a high-demand agricultural product.

“Hibiscus is extremely popular across the world and has huge export potential,” he noted.

Ethical Leadership and Accountability

Gambari also stressed the need for transparency and accountability in governance, urging journalists to question political leaders who make vague promises.

“It is not enough for politicians to come and say they will do this or that,” he said.

He called on members of the media to demand concrete plans from leaders.

“When someone says they will provide electricity within four years, ask them how exactly they intend to do it,” Gambari said.

“We must hold our leaders accountable.”

Inclusive Governance Through Partnerships

The governorship hopeful also emphasised the importance of partnerships in governance, saying no individual can solve all societal problems alone.

“No single person, region, or zone has all the answers to the problems we face,” he said.

He said his administration would collaborate with businesses, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, youth groups, and students to develop policies and projects.

“We must carry everyone along,” Gambari said. “When people have a voice in governance, they feel ownership of the decisions being made.”

At the same time, he warned against excessive bureaucracy that could delay decision-making.

“We cannot allow analysis to become paralysis,” he said.

Gambari stressed humility in leadership and willingness to seek knowledge from others.

“I know what I know, but I also know what I do not know,” he said. “And when I don’t know something, I will find those who know and ask them how it can be done.”

“This is our commitment. This is our drive. And this is our shared future for Kwara State.”