A growing coalition of civic groups, youth organisations and grassroots movements has intensified calls on Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State, describing him as a “competent and visionary leader” capable of steering the state towards sustainable development.
The groups, in separate statements issued in Ilorin on Saturday, said the increasing demand for Ajia’s candidacy was driven by concerns over the socio-economic direction of the state and the need for leadership rooted in both academic excellence and practical governance experience.
Ajia, an Associate Professor of Business Administration and Marketing and Chair of the Business School at Lincoln University of Missouri, was said to possess the intellectual depth and administrative competence required to reposition Kwara.
Among the organisations championing the call are the Kwara Development Initiative, Red Card Movement, Nigerian Progressive Coalition, Agaka Football Academy and Ilorin Gifted Academy.
The coalition said its decision followed what it described as a “rigorous assessment” of the state’s developmental needs, insisting that Kwara required a leader capable of bridging the gap between policy formulation and implementation.
A spokesperson for the groups noted that the current realities in the state demanded “intellectualised governance” driven by data, strategic planning and accountability.
“The decision to approach Professor Ajia was born out of a careful consideration of the challenges facing Kwara. The state needs a leader who understands economic development, infrastructure planning, education and institutional reforms,” the spokesperson said.
The pressure for Ajia to enter the race reportedly gained further momentum through discussions on the popular civic radio programme, “Apero Isejoba Forum,” aired on Gerin 95.5 FM.
According to the coalition, listeners of the programme repeatedly urged the professor to heed the calls to serve, citing his background in development theory and commitment to community advancement.
The groups argued that the combination of endorsements from organised civic bodies and growing public support reflected what they described as a genuine grassroots demand for competent leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The consistency of these calls, especially from ordinary Kwarans on radio platforms, shows this is beyond politics. People are demanding leadership built on competence, transparency and measurable development,” another coalition member stated.
Despite the mounting pressure, Ajia has yet to publicly declare his intention to contest the governorship seat.
However, the coalition maintained that it would continue consultations and advocacy efforts until a formal response is received from the academic and development expert.