Former Kwara State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa (BOB), has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State, pledging to bring experience, unity and what he described as a “proven record” of public service to bear on governance.
A statement he personally addressed to party leaders, traditional rulers, religious figures and stakeholders across the state on Thursday which was obtained by THE WHISTLER said his decision to enter the race was driven by a long-standing commitment to public service and the desire to consolidate on what he called the gains of progressive governance in Kwara State.
He said his ambition was not motivated by personal interest but by years of service across different levels of governance, insisting that he had been “consistently guided by the principles of party discipline, unity and service”.
“I am not driven by personal ambition,” he said, “but by a lifelong record of service that spans the grassroots, the legislature and national institutions.”
He traced his political journey from local government administration to the national level, noting that he served as Councillor and two-term Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government before becoming a two-term member of the House of Representatives, experiences he said shaped his understanding of governance at both community and national levels.
“That journey has equipped me with a rare blend of administrative experience and legislative insight,” he said, adding that it enables him to “understand governance both at the community level and within the broader architecture of national policy.”
Bolarinwa also referenced his tenure as Chairman of the APC in Kwara State in 2018, a role in which he led the party into the 2019 general elections and played a key part in the emergence of the “O To Ge” political movement that ended years of political dominance in the state.
Beyond partisan politics, he noted his service as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), where he said he contributed to strengthening regulatory frameworks and improving professionalism in public broadcasting.
“This national exposure has broadened my perspective on governance and sharpened my ability to manage complex institutions in a rapidly changing environment,” he said.
On his academic background, Bolarinwa disclosed that he holds a PhD in International Relations, alongside degrees from the University of Ilorin and the University of Lagos, adding that his education provides him with the analytical tools needed to address Kwara’s development challenges.
He pledged that if elected, his administration would prioritise peace, equity, prosperity and inclusive development, while calling for unity within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I urge party leaders and the people of the state to remain focused on the shared objective of building a Kwara anchored on peace, equity, prosperity and inclusive progress,” he said.
Reacting to the declaration, the Kwara State APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, praised Bolarinwa’s contributions to the party, describing him as a strong contender capable of sustaining the party’s political dominance in the state and ensuring continuity in governance.
He also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to a transparent selection process ahead of the 2027 elections.
Earlier, APC stakeholders from Kwara North, under the auspices of Edu APC Progressives and Patigi APC Like-Minds, had endorsed Bolarinwa as their preferred candidate during a press conference in Ilorin.
A former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Yissa-Ezekiel, described him as “competent, compassionate and capable, with a proven track record in leadership,” adding that he possesses the “trifecta of leadership excellence” required to govern the state effectively.
Hajia Fatima Gogata, speaking on behalf of Patigi stakeholders, said the endorsement was based on competence and experience rather than sentiment, noting that his leadership as APC chairman provided “direction, unity and structure” at a critical moment in the state’s political history.
Dr. Mohammed Baba-Lafiagi, spokesman for Edu Local Government Area, also reaffirmed what he described as the “total and unwavering endorsement” of Bolarinwa, saying his legislative, executive and grassroots experience made him well-suited for the governorship.
The endorsements follow an earlier declaration of support by the Kwara North APC caucus, which described him as a leader of “proven integrity, administrative competence and unifying capacity,” further strengthening his emerging political momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
