A coalition of young stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has declared support for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred successor, Speaker Yakubu Salihu Danladi, saying that the youths a will be more patronised and protected if given the opportunity in 2027.

This was as they reaffirmed support for the governor’s Prosperity Agenda, describing his administration as transformational having transformed the state’s fortunes through prudent governance, infrastructure renewal and inclusive development.

Addressing newsmen on Friday, the Coalition of Kwara APC Young Stakeholders (C-KAYS) said it was convinced that: “Danladi-Salihu possesses the character, competence, capacity, and grassroots connections required to consolidate the Governor AbdulRazaq’s achievements and advance his Prosperity Agenda to even greater beights.”

They disclosed that the choice of Danladi is to continue the AbdulRazaq’s transformative ruling pattern in the state, recalling that the governor inherited a state grappling with weak institutions, poor infrastructure, inadequate healthcare, declining educational standards, youth unemployment and a struggling economy when he assumed office in 2019.

The C-KAYS coordinator, Mallam Abiola Nasir, said the AbdulRazaq administration had since embarked on wide-ranging reforms that have repositioned Kwara across key sectors of the economy.

According to him, investments in road infrastructure have improved connectivity across communities, boosted economic activities and opened up rural areas, while the establishment of the Kwara Innovation Hub has created opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation and youth-driven technology development.

The coalition also credited the administration with revitalising the education sector through the renovation of schools, provision of learning facilities, regular teacher training and the successful restoration of access to Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) intervention funds, which it said had enhanced educational infrastructure and learning outcomes.

It further commended the government’s interventions in the healthcare sector, citing the renovation of health facilities, recruitment of qualified personnel and improved welfare for health workers as measures that have expanded access to quality healthcare services.

On social investment, the group said the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) had empowered thousands of residents through grants, financial support and capacity-building initiatives, helping to strengthen small businesses and create employment opportunities.

The coalition equally applauded the administration for prioritising the welfare of civil servants through prompt salary payments, professional development programmes and reforms aimed at improving service delivery.

It noted that investments in water projects and critical infrastructure across the 16 local government areas, alongside growing local government autonomy, had strengthened grassroots development.

While acknowledging that insecurity remains a national challenge, the group commended the state government’s collaboration with security agencies, traditional institutions and local communities to combat kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities.

“The government has continued to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve rapid response mechanisms and intensify security patrols across vulnerable communities,” the coalition stated, urging residents to support lawful efforts aimed at safeguarding lives and property.

Ahead of future political activities, the coalition appealed to aggrieved APC members and aspirants to embrace dialogue and party mechanisms in resolving disagreements rather than actions capable of undermining the party’s cohesion.

It stressed that unity remained critical to sustaining the gains recorded under the AbdulRazaq administration and preserving the Prosperity Agenda beyond the current tenure.

The coalition also called for broader participation of youths and women in governance, urging party leaders to promote policies that encourage leadership development, entrepreneurship, equitable representation and greater inclusion in public appointments.

According to the group, investing in young people and women is essential to securing the long-term prosperity, stability and development of Kwara State.

C-KAYS also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as his commitment to democratic governance and national development, saying the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda complements the developmental strides being witnessed in Kwara State.

The coalition concluded by urging APC leaders to deepen reconciliation efforts through continuous consultations and stakeholder engagement, insisting that a united party remains better positioned to consolidate development and deliver lasting dividends of democracy to the people of the state.