By Musbau Akanji
The year 2027 is at hand, and many are in a frenzy searching for dynamic and authentic leaders to vote for. Nigerians have actually seen and heard it all. They are no longer seeking mere promises and sloganeering, neither are they any longer guided by emotions or sentiments.
Indeed, Nigerians are no longer influenced by bandwagon appeal nor party affiliation. Rather, they are craving that which is tangible — qualities and characters that inspire trust, drive progress, and can make an effective positive impact on their lives and well-being.
To the people of Kwara State, one man that strongly amplifies and resonates these qualities intrinsically, and who has the capacity, competence, and capabilities to lead them and take them forward, is Senator Salihu Mustapha. Senator Salihu is a seasoned technocrat, a tested and proven political leader, and a true man of the people.
His love and kindness resonate with his people, while his personality inspires hope among Kwarans. A dynamic visionary leader, Senator Salihu has over time proven to possess a rare gift of creating strategic plans, a keen understanding of governance, transparency, and people-centric policies.
This is attested to by the quality of his contributions to national debates and his deliberate commitment to the service of his constituents — all qualities that they strongly believe will be used to transform the State into a technological hub, leading to rich investments both in schools and in the startups of creativity. A man of indisputable integrity, Senator Mustapha has shown that he is transparent and accountable to his people and ready at all times to comply with the extant laws of the land.
For instance, he was among the very first to declare his assets.
Known also for his straightforward character, Senator Salihu avoids conflicts of interest and nepotism like a plague. These qualities will effectively lead to inclusivity and the even spread in government appointments.
His strong and effective ability to harness diverse thoughts through regular town hall meetings and periodic engagements with stakeholders and constituents are distinctive attributes that have made him a towering influence not just in Nigeria but a most sought-after candidate for the position of Governor of his home State of Kwara.
A man of soulful empathy, Senator Mustapha is also acknowledged for his deep knowledge of the pain points of his people. He often visits disaster-affected areas, where he provides succour and support to victims.
Indeed, his transparent and problem-solving skills stand him out from others. It is believed that within the period he has been at the National Assembly, Senator Salihu introduced several innovative solutions for infrastructural development of the State and his constituency in particular. Now the people of Kwara want to have first-hand what they were experiencing through a third party.
Modelled after the visionary thinking and empathy of South Africa’s leadership of Nelson Mandela, the people of Kwara are confident that Senator Salihu is sure to transform the State into a model where officials of government will be held responsible for performance, a government that will tackle corruption, and ensure the representation of diverse groups in governance.
A man given to fiscal responsibility and strategic planning, Senator Salihu will prioritise initiatives, innovative solutions, and allocate the resources of the State effectively and prudently, as well as encourage entrepreneurship. In a State with security crises, there is need for a governor equipped to rapidly and effectively respond to daily emergencies and eliminate the challenges.
There is need for a people-centric leader who will focus on improving the quality of lives of the citizens, hold them in high esteem, uphold the rule of law, and respect judicial decisions and pronouncements. The people of Kwara need a strong leader that inspires confidence, motivates teams to achieve goals, builds consensus and coalitions, and engages local leaders and communities to arrest the downward security trend and slide that the State is currently engulfed in. They have seen all these qualities in Senator Mustapha.
Senator Salihu Mustapha stands conspicuously tall as a man with tested and proven economic acumen, who is capable of advancing policies to boost economic growth, social emancipation, and attract fulfilling investments and not mere MoUs. An advocate of social justice and environmental sustainability, Senator Salihu will address the challenges of marginalised groups, ensure the promotion of equality, while promoting sustainable development and conservation.
In the core areas of humanity, Senator Salihu will prioritise education, enhancing access and quality delivery. He will strengthen the healthcare system and improve access to it. He will certainly support farmers more than he is presently doing and develop infrastructure with a view to enhancing connectivity, growth of commerce, and an open competitive market.
To ensure seamless operations, Senator Mustapha is determined to ensure citizens’ safety as he addresses the various security challenges.
Senator Mustapha’s positive phobia for youth and women empowerment is well known. Indeed, he has been severally accused of doing too much for them. To him, he is just beginning.
As governor, Senator Salihu will aggressively empower youths, support entrepreneurship initiatives, and ensure they are prepared for global competitiveness. He will also promote women’s rights and support their inclusion in governance by granting them special seats and representation above the 35 percent Affirmative Action.
A down-to-earth personality, Senator Mustapha has a strong touch with the diverse traditions and culture of the people of Kwara State. He believes in the integration of culture into governance and is therefore committed to preserving the cultural heritage of his people through several areas, including the promotion of tourism, development of sports, and the encouragement of the participation of youth.
A highly technically driven leader, Senator Mustapha will encourage tech innovation and ensure e-governance. Indeed, the days of despair and pains of the people of Kwara State are fast coming to an end, and Kwarans know this.
Hence, they earnestly yearn for Senator Salihu Mustapha, calling on him to come and serve as Governor of Kwara State in 2027.
Akanji writes from Tanke, Ilorin
