Gerin fm 95.5 Ilorin - News & Events

Omar Gambari, first son of Nigeria’s veteran diplomat and former Chief of Staff to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has declared his intention to contest 2027 governorship election in Kwara State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

The governorship aspirant, speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Monday, said that political opposition in the state is much alive, despite the statement credited to supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state that opposition is dead. 

“PDP is alive, thriving, and quite vibrant in Kwara State. I can’t say in other places. But we’re doing well in Kwara and we’re up to the task and we’re taking the present government to task. So, if a level playing ground is allowed, 2027 will clearly show the party that is alive or dead,” he said. 

Gambari, who contested the House of Representatives seat under the PDP for the Ilorin East/Ilorin South federal constituency in 2018, charged citizens in the state to always hold political leaders accountable. 

He said by constantly asking questions, leaders would know they are being watched and they would sit up in the deliverables. 

Gambari, who promised to prioritise security, agriculture, healthcare and education, argued that democracy has thrived and deepened in the country against much criticism, stressing that youth participation has become louder, less of electoral violence and much more information on political process. 

He described his agenda as “OBG commitment”, adding that it centred on People, Protection, Prosperity, and Politics. 

“Our agenda is around people’s welfare, quality education, health and people’s well-being as well as security, climate change, and poverty eradication,” he said.

Gambari also said that the vision is also about collective prosperity and politics of inclusion. 

The PDP governorship aspirant harped that his focus will be on solving security challenges in the state through kinetic and non kinetic solutions, adding that prosperity would be pursued through establishment of industries through agribusiness. 

“We’ll acquire the land, do industrial irrigation for all seasons farming, plant, harvest and government will provide enabling environment for offtaking. Thus creating prosperity. 

“Kwara North, Kwara South development commission would be established to tackle lopsided development and would be handled by indigenes of the areas,” he added.

He eulogised Saraki based on development projects he had carried out during his tenure, saying that, “critics only say negative about Saraki, but records stand him out. Saraki has no baggage only advantage.”

During a question-and-answer session with journalists, he also dismissed suggestions that his ambition relied on the influence of his father, former diplomat Ibrahim Gambari.

“I am standing as a man on my own two feet,” he said.