A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Alabi Oluwatoyin Tajudeen, on Monday formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State.

Dr Tajudeen unveiled his ambition during his 63rd birthday celebration, pledging to deliver a "Greater Kwara for All".

Addressing party leaders, traditional rulers, youths, women, clergy and residents, he presented a vision centred on stability, inclusion and economic growth.

"I stand before you not merely to celebrate another year, but to embrace the responsibility of leadership," he said. "Kwara is blessed with fertile land, resilient people, and rich culture but potential alone does not build prosperity. What transforms a state is responsible leadership."

He identified agriculture, education, healthcare, security, infrastructure and tourism as key sectors he would prioritise, urging young people to go beyond voting to becoming innovators and development drivers.

Dr Tajudeen said his governorship aspiration is driven by a sense of duty to contribute to the progress of the state.

"With humility, conviction, and an unwavering belief in the greatness of our people, I hereby formally declare my intention to contest for the office of Governor of Kwara State. Together, we will build a Greater Kwara not through slogans, but through structure; not through division, but through inclusion; not through improvisation, but through policy," he added.

The declaration coincided with a policy dialogue organised by the Greater Kwara Foundation, which drew policymakers, technocrats and community leaders to discuss strategies for sustainable development.

"Our duty is not just for the moment; it is to sustain and build on existing achievements. Prosperity must be deliberately structured to improve living standards and reduce poverty," Dr Tajudeen said.

Development expert David Olayemi called for structured economic planning and urged Kwara State to draw lessons from successful Asian economies, stressing the role of education, industrialisation and human capital investment.

"Our dreams today can become reality tomorrow if we are intentional about them," he said.

Johnson Bamidele Olorunsola Adewumi also underscored collective responsibility, saying: "There is nothing better than building on legacy and ensuring that what we do today benefits the next generation. Development is about improving lives, and that responsibility rests on all of us."

Panel discussions examined security, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, economic inclusion and agricultural transformation, with participants urging the adoption of actionable policies for long-term growth.

In his presentation, "Building a Safe and Secure Kwara State Through Community Policing and Intelligence-led Strategy," Ajayi Okasanmi advocated proactive measures against insecurity, calling for intelligence-led community policing, collaboration with local communities and increased government investment in security.

Participants said they shared a vision of positioning Kwara State as a model for sustainable development in Nigeria.