The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Kwara South, Saheed Popoola, has pledged to tackle insecurity, address infrastructure deficits and promote economic development across the district if elected in the 2027 general elections.
Popoola made the pledge during the News Keg Engagement Series organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin, where he presented his development agenda for the senatorial district.
He identified kidnapping, poor road networks, declining agricultural activities, youth unemployment and inadequate healthcare facilities as major challenges requiring urgent attention.
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The candidate, who cited his 27 years of political experience, said his previous positions as local government chairman, commissioner and two-term member of the Kwara State House of Assembly had prepared him for effective representation.
On security, Popoola expressed concern over increasing cases of kidnapping in Kwara South, saying residents, particularly farmers, could no longer access their farmlands or move freely without fear of attacks.
He promised to facilitate stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies, adding that he would replicate the neighbourhood watch initiative he established while serving as a local government chairman.
According to him, the proposed initiative would involve youths, Fulani residents and other community stakeholders, with participants properly registered with the government and equipped to support security operations.
He said he would also commit personal resources to the initiative, arguing that residents possessed valuable knowledge of their communities that could strengthen intelligence gathering and security responses.
The PDP candidate pledged to use his legislative position if elected to lobby the federal and state governments and relevant agencies to address insecurity and infrastructure challenges.
On roads, he lamented the poor condition of several routes linking communities in the district, particularly the Iloffa-Ekiti axis, promising to pursue the rehabilitation and construction of major roads.
He specifically mentioned the Ilorin-Omu-Aran-Egbe and Ajase-Offa routes as roads requiring government intervention, noting that legislators could facilitate development projects through effective engagement with relevant authorities.
Popoola also identified agriculture as a major economic opportunity for Kwara South, given its vast arable land, but warned that insecurity had disrupted farming activities, weakened food production and increased economic hardship in rural communities.
He cited a kidnapping incident in Isanlu-Isin involving a farmer and his two children, claiming that he contributed ₦2 million towards efforts to secure their release.
He urged the media to give greater attention to security challenges in rural areas, noting that several incidents were not adequately reported.
On youth development, Popoola said unemployment and limited economic opportunities could expose young people to criminal activities, pledging to promote employment and empowerment programmes to engage them productively.
The Senatorial Candidate also promised to establish constituency offices in each of the local government areas in Kwara South to improve communication with residents and strengthen grassroots representation.
According to him, the offices would serve as centres for receiving complaints and development requests from the district’s 83 wards, with each ward having a legislative aide to collate reports through local government liaison officers.
On healthcare, he pledged to facilitate the rehabilitation and revitalisation of non-functional cottage hospitals to improve access to medical services across the district.
Describing accessibility as central to effective representation, Popoola said he would remain available to constituents and ensure their concerns received attention.
“I am going to be a listening senator. I will make myself available at all times,” he said.
He urged voters to assess candidates based on their experience, competence and track records rather than allowing financial inducements to influence their decisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
