Mahalia Aisha Ahman-Pategi has formally announced her bid for the Kwara State governorship seat in the 2027 general elections, making her the first female aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Her declaration positions her as a leading female contender from Kwara North, a senatorial district that has been vigorously campaigning for the governorship ticket to be zoned to the area in the upcoming electoral cycle.

Whilst addressing a large gathering of supporters in Ilorin, the state capital, on Saturday, Ahman-Pategi stated that her announcement represents a moment where courage meets purpose and where the voice of the people rises above fear.

The aspirant, widely known as "Mama Oyoyo" amongst her admirers and supporters, assured residents of Kwara State that she would operate an inclusive administration focused on generating employment and driving economic empowerment if elected.

She pledged to harness youth innovation and energy, boost agricultural and industrial productivity, upgrade infrastructure and power supply, and place women at the centre of citizen welfare initiatives.

Citing her campaign slogan-"A New Dawn, A New Hope and A New Kwara"-she characterised her political bid as a movement founded on hope, unity, and a firm belief in collective progress.

Earlier, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Ezekiel Benjamin-Issa, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Jerry Kolo, alongside other key stakeholders, vouched for Ahman-Pategi’s integrity, describing her as a woman of substance, timber and calibre.

The governorship hopeful also formally submitted her letter of intent to contest the 2027 election to the leadership of the Kwara State chapter of the APC.

She arrived at the party's state secretariat in Ilorin accompanied by loyalists and supporters from across the state.

Speaking during the submission, she explained that her decision was driven by a commitment to consolidate the developmental foundation established by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and to significantly improve the living conditions of the less privileged.

In his response, the APC State Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, expressed appreciation for her visit and guaranteed that all aspirants would compete on a level playing field.