A former Kwara State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa (BOB), has formally declared his intention to contest for the office of Governor of Kwara state in 2027, presenting himself as a tested grassroots politician with the experience, capacity and unifying influence required to lead the state into its next phase of development.
In a message to party elders, stakeholders, traditional rulers and religious leaders across the state, Hon. Bolarinwa said his decision was driven by a deep-rooted commitment to public service and a determination to consolidate and advance the gains of progressive governance in Kwara.
He stressed that his aspiration is driven not by personal ambition, but by a lifelong record of service that spans the grassroots, the legislature and national institutions.
From his days as Councillor and two-term Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government, and later as a two-term member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bolarinwa has built a career defined by hands-on governance and policy engagement.
That journey, he noted, has equipped him with a rare blend of administrative experience and legislative insight, enabling him to understand governance both at the community level and within the broader architecture of national policy.
His leadership credentials were further cemented in 2018 when he was elected chairman of the APC in Kwara State, a role in which he led the party into the historic 2019 general elections. Under his stewardship, the now-famous “O To Ge” movement reshaped the political landscape of the state, delivering a clean sweep for the APC and ending years of entrenched political dominance.
Beyond partisan politics, Bolarinwa also served as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Broadcasting Commission, where he contributed to strengthening regulatory frameworks and promoting professionalism in public service broadcasting. He said this national exposure has broadened his perspective on governance and sharpened his ability to manage complex institutions in a rapidly changing environment.
Academically, Bolarinwa brings intellectual depth to public office, holding a PhD in International Relations in addition to degrees from the University of Ilorin and the University of Lagos.
He maintains that this background has equipped him with the analytical tools and global outlook necessary to confront the socio-economic and governance challenges facing Kwara State today.
Throughout his career, he said, he has remained guided by the principles of party discipline, unity and service, consistently placing collective interest above personal gain while working to bridge divides and empower communities.
It is this combination of experience, leadership record and ability to rally diverse interests that, he said, informed his decision to enter the 2027 governorship race.
Hon. Bolarinwa expressed confidence that with the support and prayers of stakeholders, the APC would not only consolidate its achievements in Kwara State but also secure another decisive mandate in 2027.
He urged party leaders and the people of the state to remain focused on the shared objective of building a Kwara anchored on peace, equity, prosperity and inclusive progress.
Responding to the declaration, the Kwara APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, praised Bolarinwa’s contributions to the success of the party, particularly his role in the “O To Ge” movement, describing him as eminently qualified to succeed the current administration and sustain the gains of democracy.
He also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to a transparent and credible process in selecting its candidate for the 2027 elections.
Earlier on Thursday, stakeholders of the APC in Kwara North endorsed Hon. Bolarinwa, citing his leadership record, competence and compassion as key credentials for the 2027 governorship election.
The stakeholders, under the auspices of Edu APC Progressives and
Patigi APC Like-Minds, made their position known at a news conference
on Thursday in Ilorin.
Speaking with newsmen, a former Speaker of the Kwara State House of
Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Yissa-Ezekiel, described Bolarinwa as “competent, compassionate and capable, with a proven track record in leadership.”
He added that the governorship aspirant possesses the “trifecta of leadership excellence” required to lead Kwara in the 2027 election.
Also speaking, Hajia Fatima Gogata, spokesperson for Patigi LGA, said the endorsement was unanimous among APC stalwarts.
“This endorsement is not driven by sentiment. It is rooted in proven competence, political experience and unwavering commitment to public service. At a defining moment in Kwara’s political evolution, his
leadership as party chairman provided direction, unity and structure,” she said.
In his remarks, the spokesman for Edu LGA, Dr. Mohammed Baba-Lafiagi, reaffirmed what he described as the stakeholders’ “total and
unwavering endorsement” of Bolarinwa as the consensus governorship
candidate.
“Bolarinwa has consistently demonstrated leadership capacity, commitment to APC ideals and dedication to the progress of Kwara. His legislative and executive experience, grassroots connection and broad acceptability across all senatorial districts make him the right candidate,” he said.
