As politicians warm up for the 2015 general elections, Kwarans have resolved to encourage and work for the election of political leaders with vision and progressive ideas.

Rising from a colloquium held in Ilorin and tagged: 'The need for progressive leadership in Kwara State', participants including labour leaders, civil society activists, the academia and prominent politicians agreed on the need to expand the political space to enable the people elect competent leaders.

Speakers at the event, organised by The Leaders Institute, including Professor Hassan Saliu of the University of Ilorin; former minister, Dr Amina Ndalolo; former bank executive, Princess Shola Adedoyin and vice president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Issa Aremu, all agreed that the event was auspicious and the theme a right step in the right direction.

"The desirable leader should be one that is accommodating and altruistic; such leader must have the ability to transform a vision to reality. In the search for new leaders therefore, it is imperative for everybody to get involved since the future of the people is too precious to be left in the hands of a few," the organisers said in a communiqué issued by Alhaji Tajudeen Abdulkareem, the convener.

It was noted that as a result of the 'privatised' nature of Kwara politics, a large part of the state had remained in limbo with the attendant lack of development and advancement.

Participants also observed that lack of a defining line between politics and governance has been the bane of sustainable development in the state.

Politics, it was agreed, required some skill; but justifying the confidence of the people after winning an election required much planning and astute management.

Noting that Kwara has reached a defining moment, the gathering acknowledged that the people are in the middle of three wars - war against poverty; corruption and domination; oppression and slavery which must be fought and won now.

Stakeholders resolved that Kwara at this stage does not require an 'imported' leader but someone who has lived with the people and can easily identify with their aspirations and challenges and make adequate consultations.

The colloquium also recommended the search for a leader that is progressive, forward-looking and ready to take calculative risks; one that will be democratic in approach, cultured, humane and fair minded; a leader that can create the required change the people desired.