The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kwara State, Prof. Abdulmumeen Olayinka Ajia, has promised to pursue an education policy modelled on the legacy of the party's vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, if elected governor in 2027.

Ajia said the model would be targeted at creating opportunities for children from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds to access quality education and attain their full potential.

He spoke on Wednesday at the flag-off of his governorship campaign at Oja Oba, Ilorin, where he outlined education and healthcare as key areas of his proposed administration.

The candidate said his objective was to build functional systems capable of producing "real and tangible results" and improving the wellbeing of residents across the state.

According to him, his personal experience of benefiting from education had strengthened his resolve to ensure that children of ordinary citizens were not denied similar opportunities.

"I want to see the children of others also do well in society," he said, stressing that education remained one of the most effective ways of changing the circumstances of young people.

Ajia also pledged not to use public office for personal enrichment, saying he would not support any action capable of compromising the integrity of government.

He challenged the people of Kwara to hold him accountable if elected and he failed to fulfil his promises, arguing that those entrusted with public office must be answerable to the people.

The NDC candidate said his campaign was not about abusing opponents, but acknowledged the political rivalry ahead of the election, describing the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as "beds of the same feather."

The campaign flag-off, which was still ongoing as of 8pm, featured music and other activities as supporters and residents gathered at the venue.

Ajia also took his campaign to parts of Ilorin, where he engaged business owners and other residents along Ibrahim Taiwo Road.

During the activities, he stopped at the scene of a road accident around Taiwo, where he sympathised with the victims, sought their contact details and pledged immediate support.

He also visited the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Uthman Atolagbe Jos, and the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin Emirate, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, to seek traditional blessings for his political journey ahead of the 2027 elections.