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Kwara 2027: Bio Declares Guber Ambition Under APC, Unveils 5-Point Agenda

Published

1 month ago

April 10, 2026

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

A member of the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, Rt. Hon. Muhammed Bio, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), unveiling a five-point development agenda anchored on security, energy, agriculture, education, and economic transformation.

The epoch-making event, held at the Royal Rock Hotel and Event Centre, Gaa Odota Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, was witnessed by party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters in their numbers.

In his declaration speech, Bio said his decision followed “wide and deep consultations with critical stakeholders, traditional institutions, progressive minds, and ordinary citizens across Kwara.”

“I come before you to humbly and officially declare my intention to contest for the exalted office of Governor of Kwara State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In Sha Allah, I seek your mandate to lead our State into a new era of security, prosperity, and shared greatness,” he said.

The lawmaker, who represents Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency, described himself as “a son of the soil, a servant of the people, and a proud product of this blessed State,” emphasising that his political journey has been driven by service and impact.

“Leadership is not about position or power, but about touching lives, solving problems, and building a future where every Kwaran can stand tall with dignity and hope,” he said.

Bio highlighted his experience as former Executive Chairman of Baruten Local Government Area from 2013 to 2016, noting that his administration prioritised “basic education, primary healthcare, rural roads, and youth empowerment,” while strengthening revenue generation without burdening the people.

“At the National Assembly, I have remained a consistent voice for accountability and good governance,” he added, pointing to his role as Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research and his contributions to key committees.

He stressed that his record in office “speaks through actions, not mere words,” citing projects such as boreholes under a Water-For-All initiative, construction of classrooms and laboratories, rural road development, and youth empowerment programmes, among others.

“We have sunk dozens of borehole constructed modern classrooms, built the critical River Iguwa Bridge and distributed palliatives and relief materials during difficult times,” he said.

According to him, these efforts have earned recognition from civil society groups, though he maintained that “the greatest reward remains the smiles on the faces of constituents whose lives have been touched.”

Presenting what he described as a “solemn Covenant of Renewal,” Bio outlined a five-pillar agenda to transform the State.

On security, he pledged to make Kwara “a true sanctuary of peace and safety,” noting that “no administration can thrive in an atmosphere of fear.”

“Our first and non-negotiable priority will be to make Kwara a true sanctuary of peace and safety,” he said. “Farmers must return to their fields without trepidation. Traders must ply their routes in confidence. Our children must walk to school and play without anxiety.”

He added that his security strategy would combine collaboration with federal agencies and community-based intelligence systems, extending beyond physical safety to “economic security—protecting livelihoods—and social stability.”

On energy, the APC chieftain promised a power revolution to end unreliable electricity supply in the state.

“Darkness has stolen too many dreams for far too long,” he said. “Reliable electricity will no longer be a luxury but a daily reality.”

He outlined plans to invest in infrastructure, pursue partnerships, and deploy off-grid solutions for rural communities, assuring that “load-shedding will become a distant memory.”

Turning to agriculture, Bio described it as the “true oil” of Kwara, pledging to transform the sector into a driver of wealth and food security.

“We will turn agriculture into the true ‘oil’ of our state—the engine of wealth creation and food security,. Farmers will become entrepreneurs. Rural communities will transform into centres of prosperity,” he declared.

He promised mechanisation, improved inputs, storage facilities, and market access, adding that “Kwara will not only feed itself and Nigeria but also export to the world.”

On education, he emphasized “learning for empowerment,” promising significant investments across all levels.

“Education must equip our young people with the power to create, innovate, compete, and lead. We will pursue free and qualitative education as the great equalizer, ensuring no child is left behind because of poverty,” he said.

He also pledged to revive the Teachers College and establish technical and vocational institutions across the state’s three senatorial districts.

Bio, however, reaffirming his commitment to results-driven leadership, declaring: “I have never been a leader who only promises change. I am a leader who has consistently delivered it.”

He urged party members and the electorate to support his ambition, expressing confidence that his vision would usher in “a shining beacon of safety, prosperity, and progress” for Kwara State.

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Benue Launches Youth Training Programme in Belarus

Published

35 minutes ago

May 14, 2026

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Benue State Government has commenced the first phase of its International Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment Programme aimed at equipping young people with globally competitive skills.

The programme is currently taking place at the Republican Institute for Vocational Studies (RIPO) in Belarus, where selected participants have begun intensive artisanal and vocational training.

The initiative, introduced under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia, is being implemented in collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, the training programme combines classroom learning with hands-on practical experience, with emphasis on infrastructure development and a wide range of vocational disciplines.

According to the statement, the initiative is designed to equip participants with modern technical and digital skills needed to compete effectively in today’s rapidly evolving global labour market.

“It should be noted that the programme represents a strategic investment in human capital development, with a strong emphasis on certification and industry relevance,” the statement noted.

Governor Alia also revealed plans to expand the initiative to cover the agricultural and automotive sectors, further demonstrating his administration’s commitment to sustainable youth empowerment and international partnerships.

The Benue delegation, led by the Director General of the Bureau for Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, Benita Shuluwa, was formally received by officials of the Republican Institute for Vocational Studies (RIPO), with training activities beginning immediately after arrival.

The statement added that both the Benue State Government and RIPO expressed optimism about strengthening their partnership, with ongoing discussions to extend the programme to several Centres of Excellence within the institute.

The initiative is expected to create new opportunities for skills acquisition, innovation, and international exposure for youths across Benue State.

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Benue Local Government Workers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Unpaid Salaries, Promotions Despite Increased Federal Allocations

Published

41 minutes ago

May 14, 2026

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Local government workers in Benue State have commenced an indefinite strike action from Thursday, May 14, 2026, following the failure of the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia to address issues relating to unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and pension remittances.

The strike directive was issued by the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in a notice dated May 13, 2026. The notice was signed by the State President, Joshua Adah Adiniya, and the State Secretary, Comrade Aseneshi Musa Yusuf.

According to the union, the action followed the expiration of an earlier 14-day ultimatum issued to the Benue State Government, as well as an additional seven-working-day reminder notice.

In the statement titled “Notification of Strike Action,” NULGE accused the state government of failing to take advantage of several opportunities to resolve the dispute.

“Unfortunately, the Benue State Government has remained adamant and ignored all the opportunities offered by the union to resolve these disputes and avert the consequences,” the union stated.

The workers are demanding the immediate payment of outstanding March and April 2026 salaries, implementation of pending promotions for local government staff, resolution of issues surrounding BEPCON remittances, reinstatement of disengaged 2011/2012 local government workers, and payment of salary arrears owed to workers across the state.

The union disclosed that its State Executive Council (SEC), during a meeting held on April 21, 2026, resolved to intensify pressure on the government to address the grievances, but noted that no meaningful action had been taken.

“The union has been pushed to the wall and is left with no option,” the statement added, directing all local government workers to embark on a “two-week stay-at-home warning strike effective from Thursday, May 14, 2026.”

NULGE further instructed members across the 23 local government areas of the state to ensure the “full implementation and enforcement” of the directive, describing the action as “a total lockdown of the third tier of government in Benue State until further notice.”

Copies of the notice were also sent to the executive chairmen of the 23 local government councils, divisional police officers, heads of the State Security Service in the councils, and the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The development is expected to disrupt administrative activities and grassroots services across Benue State if the dispute is not resolved urgently.

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2027: IEPAC Scribe vows Tinubu’ll Win Kwara Landslide

Published

49 minutes ago

May 14, 2026

Our Reporter

Demands Guber Slot For Senator Saliu Mustapha

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The National Secretary of the Ilorin Emirate Political Advisory Council (IEPAC), Lt. Col. Abubakar Edun (rtd), has emphasised that the All Progressives Congress (APC) stands a better chance of retaining Kwara State in 2027 if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Saliu Mustapha are on the ballots as presidential and governorship candidates respectively.

Edun, who stated this on Thursday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during an interactive session with journalists, particularly noted that President Tinubu has continued to enjoy immeasurable support across the three senatorial districts of the State, adding that his candidacy would positively influence the performance of the APC in the general elections, particularly the National Assembly polls.

“What the President has done for Kwara State in the last three years, there is hardly anyone else that has done same in history for the State,” Edun said.

He cited federal appointments secured by prominent indigenes of the State under the Tinubu administration as evidence of the President’s commitment to Kwara.

Among those mentioned were the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince AbdulLateef Fagbemi (SAN); Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari; Director-General of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Biodun Ajiboye; and board member of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun.

Others listed include top echelons in agencies such as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, the National Health Insurance Scheme, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria and the National Intelligence Agency.

Edun argued that the APC would campaign from a position of strength if both Tinubu and Mustapha emerge as the party’s presidential and governorship candidates respectively.

“This is why the Ilorin Emirate Political Advisory Council found the two of them worthy of our endorsement. We are unequivocal about it and there is no going back on it despite pressure to do otherwise,” he said.

He added that although the group is not politically aligned to any particular bloc, it would continue to support causes and political interests it considers beneficial to the Ilorin Emirate.

Edun also urged the APC leadership to carefully consider the calibre of candidates it fields in the forthcoming elections, stressing that the quality of leadership presented to voters would be critical to the party’s electoral fortunes in 2027.