The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Kwara State, Yakubu Salihu-Danladi, has defended his emergence as the party's flag bearer ahead of the 2027 election. He denied claims that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq imposed him on the party. Danladi-Salihu, who is the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, said his seven years in charge of the legislature had equipped him with the experience required to lead the state.
Danladi-Salihu insisted that his competence should be judged by his record rather than assumptions about the governor's influence on his candidacy. He rejected the description of the 10th Assembly as a rubber-stamp legislature. According to him, his ability to manage lawmakers with different interests without major rancour is evidence of his leadership capacity.
The APC candidate cited his experience in the legislature, which he claims surpasses that of other politicians contesting for the state's top political office. He boasted that he has more experience than any of his opponents. Danladi-Salihu's defence extended to the relationship between the legislature and the executive, which has attracted criticism from those who accuse the Assembly of failing to hold the governor accountable.
Danladi-Salihu questioned why lawmakers should oppose the governor when they consider his decisions appropriate. He argued that disagreement is not necessary to demonstrate the independence of the legislature. According to him, lawmakers have a responsibility to advise the executive when policies or proposals require corrections, rather than engage in confrontation for its own sake.
The Speaker further argued that prior consultations between the executive and the Assembly on government proposals should not be interpreted as evidence that lawmakers have surrendered their oversight responsibilities. He challenged critics to consider the development recorded in Kwara under AbdulRazaq's administration before describing the legislature as a rubber stamp.
Danladi-Salihu will contest the 2027 governorship election as the APC candidate, with the poll set to determine AbdulRazaq's successor when his tenure expires. He affirmed that the Assembly has a lot to show for its efforts, with several developments recorded in the state. The APC candidate maintained that his experience and competence make him the best candidate for the job.
The development in Kwara under AbdulRazaq's administration has been a subject of discussion, with some hailing the governor's efforts and others criticizing his administration. Danladi-Salihu's emergence as the APC candidate has also generated controversy, with some accusing the governor of imposing him on the party. However, the Speaker has denied these claims, insisting that his competence and experience make him the best candidate for the job.
Key points
- Yakubu Salihu-Danladi denies being imposed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
- Danladi-Salihu cites his experience as Speaker of the State House of Assembly as evidence of his leadership capacity.
- The 2027 governorship election in Kwara State will determine AbdulRazaq's successor.
