By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Engr. Sunday Adebayo Babalola, has explained why he is yet to publicly declare his interest in the 2027 governorship race in Kwara State.

Babalola, a non-executive commissioner-nominee of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, said making an early public declaration holds little value, describing such moves as unnecessary showmanship.

In a statement issued in Ilorin, he said public declarations often amount to gatherings of the same supporters for different aspirants, adding that he prefers to focus on service delivery.

“I prefer to continue working for the people as I have done over the past 16 years so they can judge what I can deliver when given the opportunity,” he said.

He added that he would not take any step that could put him at odds with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or his party, noting that the process for the contest has not officially commenced.

“I am in the race to win, not to make noise,” he stated.

Babalola said his experience spanning nearly two decades of involvement in governorship contests in the state has shaped his current approach, stressing the need for careful planning before making any formal declaration.

The oil and gas expert maintained that competence and capacity should be the primary criteria in selecting the next governor, rather than zoning considerations.

While commending Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his performance, Babalola argued that zoning arrangements had previously been set aside without adverse consequences.

He noted that when AbdulRazaq emerged in 2019, the governorship was expected to shift to Kwara North after the tenure of former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed from Kwara South, yet the state remained stable.

“Eight years down the line, we should not reverse the gains by focusing on zoning. Competence and capacity have worked for us and should remain the guiding principles,” he said.

Babalola also expressed confidence in his qualifications, stating that his experience in the political space sets him apart from other aspirants.

He further urged Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027 to enable full implementation of his administration’s policies.