2027: APC, PDP Governorship Candidates Shun ASKOMP Manifestos Discourse, NDC, SDP, NDP, APP, ADC Honour Invitation
The governorship candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi and Engr. Sulyman Bolakale Kawu Agaka, respectively, have failed to attend the maiden edition of the Manifestos Discourse organised by the Association of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP).
While the candidates of the two major political parties were conspicuously absent, their counterparts from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Prof Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia, Social Democratic Party (SDP) Dr Ridwanulahi Apaokagi, African Democratic Congress (ADC) Hon Zakari Muhammad, Action Peoples Party.(APP) Omotosho Bamidele Olaitan and National Democratic Party (NDP) Hon Deacon Shola Victor Abioye honoured the invitation and participated in the public engagement.
The Manifestos Discourse, held yesterday at Rotana Hotel, was organised to provide governorship candidates with an opportunity to present their manifestos, articulate their policy directions and explain their plans and programmes for the development of Kwara State.
According to the association, formal notifications of the programme were sent to all governorship candidates weeks before the event to give them adequate notice and enable them to prepare for the engagement.
However, the absence of the APC and PDP candidates raised questions about their willingness to engage directly with the media and members of the public on issues bordering on governance, accountability and their respective visions for the state.
During the Programme, the participating candidates were given the opportunity to outline their programmes, respond to questions and address issues of public concern. The interactive session also provided an avenue for voters to gain insights into their proposed policies and development priorities.
The association had conceived the Manifestos Discourse as a platform for Kwarans to hear directly from those seeking to govern the state rather than relying solely on campaign promises, political statements and media reports.
More concerning, however, was the absence of any prior communication or official explanation from the two absent candidates regarding their inability to attend the programme, as well as the lack of communication with the association after the event.
While political parties and candidates reserve the right to accept or decline invitations to public engagements, the absence of the two leading contenders from an opportunity designed to promote issue-based political discourse raises legitimate questions about public accountability and their commitment to open engagement.
As the 2027 governorship election approaches, Kwarans deserve an electioneering process driven by policy discussions, constructive engagements and clear explanations of how candidates intend to address the state’s challenges.