By Emmanuel Elebeke

A senatorial aspirant for Kwara South, Muritala Awodun, has declared his intention to redefine leadership in the district, promising a shift from what he described as “absentee representation” to transparent, results-driven governance anchored on people-focused policies.

Awodun, who is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said his ambition is driven by the need to address growing insecurity, economic stagnation, and infrastructural deficits in the region.

His foray into politics marks a transition from a diverse professional background spanning banking, academia, and public service. He began his career at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), where he spent eight years, before moving into academia. During his time at Lagos State University and later Kwara State University, he rose through the ranks and pioneered one of Nigeria’s first public university entrepreneurship programmes. He also served as Director-General of the School of Business and Governance.

Awodun’s reputation as a reformer, however, was solidified during his tenure as Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service from 2015 to 2019. Under his leadership, the state’s internally generated revenue reportedly increased from ₦7 billion to nearly ₦30 billion.

“I don’t just see problems; I see opportunities within them and act decisively,” he said.

Speaking on his motivation to run, Awodun expressed concern over what he described as the declining state of security in Kwara South, noting that the situation has worsened in recent years.

“Insecurity wasn’t this bad four years ago. Now it has become a major crisis and should be the top priority for anyone representing Kwara South,” he stated.

He also criticised the handling of constituency allocations, arguing that such funds should be strategically deployed to directly impact the lives of constituents. According to him, effective representation goes beyond lawmaking to include attracting development and addressing local challenges.

Awodun said his campaign is built on “purposeful leadership,” which he claimed to have demonstrated during his time in public office. He recalled engaging traditional rulers across the 16 local government areas of the state to rebuild public trust in the tax system, alongside introducing an infrastructure fund backed by legislation.

“We didn’t just collect taxes; we built relationships and ensured accountability. That’s why people responded positively,” he said.

On youth empowerment, he emphasised the need to equip young people with entrepreneurial skills, stressing that education should go beyond academic qualifications to include job creation capabilities.

Commenting on national economic reforms, particularly tax policies, Awodun expressed optimism, noting that recent measures favour low-income earners and small businesses.

“The masses are the greatest beneficiaries. This is how government demonstrates it cares,” he added.

Taking a swipe at the current representation, he described the incumbent senator as disconnected from the grassroots.

“Representation is not about staying in Abuja; it’s about being present, understanding the people, and responding to their needs,” he said.

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the elections, Awodun said he is offering himself as a tested and capable leader ready to replicate his past achievements on a broader scale.

“We are going to test our strength in the field. Kwara South deserves leadership that works, and that is what I am offering,” he said.