Former Kwara Central Senator, Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, has explained his decision to join the 2027 governorship race in the state.
He said his ambition is driven by the need for disciplined leadership, stronger institutions, and improved service delivery in the state.
Oloriegbe formally declared his intention under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday in Ilorin.
The well-attended declaration attracted party leaders, stakeholders, professionals, supporters and family members among others.
Speaking at the occasion, the former chairman, Senate Committee on Health said his decision followed wide consultations across the state’s demographics.
He said Kwara had passed through a phase of stabilisation and now urgently needs a leader who is “ready from day one” to deliver disciplined governance and measurable progress in its next phase of development.
The former senator said his background in medicine and public service shaped his belief in systems-based governance, where competence, structure, and discipline determine outcomes.
He noted that his experience in the health sector and in legislative service exposed him to the importance of efficiency, accountability, and institutional strength in delivering public value.
Oloriegbe said “he is not seeking office for personal ambition, but to contribute to building a safer, more productive, and more inclusive Kwara State”.
“I do not make this declaration out of vanity, title or because power is attractive. I make it because I am convinced that the next chapter of Kwara State requires tested judgment, disciplined governance, and a leader who is ready from the first day,” he said.
Oloriegbe warned against what he described as trial and error governance.
“This is not the time for apprenticeship. This is not the time for trial and error. This is the time for maturity. This is the time for preparedness,” he stated.
He said his professional background in medicine further strengthened his approach to leadership, noting that as a doctor, he learned that governance and service must be structured around systems, not emotions.
Oloriegbe also referenced his political experience in the Kwara State House of Assembly where he served as Majority Leader, and later in the Nigerian Senate where he chaired the Senate Committee on Health, saying these roles exposed him to policy formulation, institutional management, and public service delivery.
“Kwara is blessed, but Kwara is not yet where it should be,” he said, adding that many citizens still face economic hardship, insecurity concerns, limited access to healthcare, and uneven development across communities.
He said the 2027 election should not be about sentiment or excitement but about capacity, preparation, and governance direction.
According to him, the next governor must be someone who understands systems and can deliver results from day one.
Oloriegbe outlined five priority commitments he would pursue if elected, including improved security, a more productive economy driven by agriculture and enterprise, stronger healthcare delivery, greater fairness in opportunity distribution, and a more efficient and accountable government.
He said youth and women must be placed at the centre of development planning, not treated as symbolic stakeholders during elections.
“To the youth of Kwara, you are not an afterthought in the future of this state. You are central to it,” he said.
He also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and elders to continue to provide guidance and prayers for the state and its leadership.
Oloriegbe urged unity within the APC, warning that internal division could weaken the party’s chances in 2027.
He said the party must focus on presenting a candidate with competence, capacity, and readiness to govern.
“We must present not just a familiar face, but a fit leader,” he said.
He said the 2027 election presents Kwara with a choice between improvisation and preparation, urging citizens to opt for disciplined governance and structured development.