2027: Kawu-Fawenu Ticket Offers Kwara Opportunity for Change — Awoniyi

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Chief Otunola Adebayo Awoniyi, has called on Kwarans to massively support the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Engr. Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu Agaka, and his running mate, Rev. Cornelius Oluwasegun Fawenu.

Awoniyi, who is the National Coordinator of the Kwara State Grassroots Movement, made the call in a statement titled “2027: Why We Must Massively Support Kale Kawu, For Kwarans’ Liberation.”

He described the 2027 governorship election as a defining moment for the state, arguing that Kwarans must choose between what he described as continued hardship and a return to what he called an era of development and prosperity.

According to him, Kawu’s emergence as the PDP governorship candidate followed consultations among party leaders and the withdrawal of other aspirants, which he said demonstrated unity within the party.

Kawu’s running mate, Rev. Fawenu, was unveiled by the Kwara PDP in July 2026 following consultations across the state’s three senatorial districts. The party described the ticket as a combination of experience, grassroots engagement and religious balance. (Emirate Radio)

Awoniyi recalls Saraki, Ahmed administrations

Awoniyi also highlighted what he described as the achievements of former Governor Bukola Saraki and his successor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, between 2003 and 2019.

He credited the administrations with projects and programmes including the establishment of Kwara State University (KWASU), International Aviation College, Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre, Kwara Football Academy, Shonga Farms, the International Vocational Centre and other infrastructure and empowerment initiatives.

He also cited the Shoprite development in Ilorin, community health insurance, conditional cash transfers, road construction, the Light-Up Kwara programme, reforms at the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service and youth empowerment schemes under the two administrations.

Awoniyi argued that the period represented what he called an era of “mass prosperity”, while alleging that the state has experienced a decline in development and welfare since 2019.

Raises concerns over insecurity

The PDP chieftain further raised concerns about insecurity, particularly attacks involving traditional rulers and communities in parts of Kwara.

He cited the February 2024 killing of the Olukoro of Koro-Ekiti, Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, as one of the incidents that underscored the security challenges confronting some communities.

The monarch was killed in his palace by gunmen, while his wife and another person were abducted. The wife was later rescued, while several suspects were arrested and prosecuted in connection with the incident. (Channel Television)

Awoniyi also referenced other reported attacks and abductions involving traditional rulers in Kwara South and Kwara North, arguing that insecurity had affected communities, economic activities and access to public institutions.

He further criticised the relocation of the Kwara State School of Nursing, Oke-Ode, and raised concerns about the condition of some KWASU satellite campuses.

Criticises government over alleged disconnect

The PDP chieftain also used the recent turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin to argue that, in his view, the governor had become disconnected from grassroots residents.

Awoniyi alleged that although the event attracted dignitaries from within and outside the state, many grassroots residents did not participate in the celebration.

He described the development as evidence of what he called a “disconnect between government and the governed.”

Why Kawu-Fawenu, according to Awoniyi

On the PDP ticket, Awoniyi described Kawu as a “homegrown Kwaran” with experience in public administration and engineering, arguing that his background positioned him to understand the workings of government.

He said the selection of Rev. Fawenu as running mate also provided representation for Kwara South and strengthened the religious balance of the ticket.

Fawenu, a former Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) official and the PDP Kwara South Senatorial Chairman, was announced as Kawu’s running mate in July. Reports on the announcement said he is also the Presiding Pastor of Oasis of Wisdom Bible Church, Ilorin. (The Nation)

Awoniyi urged Kwarans to support the Kawu-Fawenu ticket in the 2027 governorship election, saying the pair represented what he described as an opportunity to restore development, security and inclusive governance in the state.

He concluded by calling on residents across the state to support the PDP ticket and participate actively in the 2027 electoral process.

Chief Otunola Adebayo Awoniyi, National Coordinator of the Kwara State Grassroots Movement, writes from Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.