Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State.

Ashiru, an architect and senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District, made the declaration while receiving executive members of the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State, at his country home in Offa.

He said he decided to join the race based on his experience and desire to promote good governance and improve the welfare of the people.

"I have come into this race. Before now, I had not come out to say I will contest, but In sha Allah, I am going to contest because I believe I have the best of credentials to rule Kwara State for the next four years starting in 2027," he said.

Ashiru expressed confidence in his understanding of the state's political landscape, noting that he has spent decades in Kwara and believes he understands its people better than other contenders.

While acknowledging agitation from Kwara North over power rotation, he maintained that leadership is attained through political engagement and popular support rather than entitlement.

"It doesn't really matter whether you are a Christian or from Ilorin. Elections in Kwara have shown that different backgrounds can produce winners. What matters is presenting yourself and earning the people's mandate," he added, expressing optimism that prayers and hard work would yield success.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Mohammed Mustapha Salman, predicted a landslide victory for the party in the 2027 presidential, governorship, and legislative elections.

Speaking in Shao, Moro Local Government Area, during the inauguration of the Asiwaju Grassroots Alliance Initiative (AGAIN) and an empowerment programme, Salman said the APC remained dominant in the state.

"The results of the election in Kwara will surprise everybody in Nigeria. Kwara will lead every other state in terms of poll outcomes for the presidential, governorship, and National Assembly elections," he said, adding that the party would deliver overwhelming votes as it did in previous elections.

Founder of AGAIN, Hussein Afolabi, pledged to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

Afolabi said the initiative would focus on organisation, mobilisation, and education across wards and polling units in Kwara North and the entire state.

He also announced the launch of several empowerment schemes, including the Moro Petty Cash Transfer Scheme, which will provide N10,000 each to petty traders in the area, the procurement of JAMB forms for 50 students, and the establishment of a N5 million Ejire Education Trust Fund under the Hassan and Hussein Afolabi Foundation.

According to him, the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu at the national level and ongoing reforms in Kwara State.