The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Kwara, Salihu Danladi, has pledged to build on Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s achievements if elected in 2027.

Addressing journalists in Ilorin on Friday, Mr Danladi, popularly known as SYD, acknowledged that the Abdulrazaq administration had laid a solid foundation for Kwara’s continued development.

He said his experience in the legislative arm of government, along with his knowledge of the state’s budgeting process and development challenges, had prepared him for the governorship.

Mr Danladi, who served as speaker of the Kwara House of Assembly from 2019 to 2023, said he had helped lay the foundation on which the current administration had built its achievements.

He expressed confidence that his administration would sustain ongoing infrastructure development, urban renewal, and human capital development across the state.

The APC candidate said his experience as speaker had exposed him to the operations of all sectors of the state, particularly through the legislature’s budgeting and oversight functions.

Mr Danladi said he had also facilitated the completion of a 33-kilometre road linking communities in the area, helping to ease transportation challenges, particularly during the rainy season.

The candidate said he had facilitated the construction of 28 classroom blocks and several primary healthcare centres in communities across the Baruten Local Government.

He added that he had facilitated the opening and grading of more than 800 kilometres of rural roads to improve access to communities and promote economic activity.

On security, Mr Danladi said he had enabled the training and equipping of 300 vigilantes to strengthen security in border communities.

Mr Danladi commended Mr Abdulrazaq for facilitating the establishment of the Federal Science and Technical College in Gwanara.

He pledged to prioritise rural development, saying his background and upbringing had given him a first-hand understanding of the challenges facing rural communities.

The aspirant promised balanced development between rural and urban communities, adding that he had visited all 193 wards and 16 local government areas in the state.

He also pledged to sustain improvements in workers’ welfare, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and economic empowerment.

Mr Danladi called on the people of Kwara to support the APC, saying the state should build on the foundation laid by the Abdulrazaq administration rather than reverse the gains recorded.

He described his running mate, David Oguniyi, as a competent and experienced legislator who understood the state’s budgeting process and development needs.

Mr Oguniyi expressed confidence in Mr AbdulRazaq’s achievements, particularly in infrastructure and urban renewal.

(NAN)