A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State and 2027 governorship aspirant, Omar Gambari, has dismissed claims of internal division within the party in the state, insisting that its structure remains cohesive, vibrant, and electorally competitive.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with The PUNCH in Ilorin on Tuesday, Gambari, also known as OBG, said that contrary to speculations in some quarters, the PDP in Kwara has continued to demonstrate unity and grassroots strength across the state.
“Politics is local. We here in Kwara State have absolutely no issues. We are not split, factionalised, and we are thriving and alive; contrary to what some people would like others to believe,” he said.
Citing recent political engagements across the state, the aspirant maintained that the reception of the party by residents, particularly in Ilorin and parts of Kwara South, reflects a growing acceptance of the PDP as a credible alternative to the ruling establishment.
“If you see our recent outings in Ilorin and parts of Kwara South, especially when people came out to welcome PDP and speak with a strong voice that the party is a viable alternative to the current structure in place, then you’ll know that we don’t have problems,” he added.
On the lingering crisis at the national level, OBG acknowledged the existence of disagreements within the party but expressed confidence in ongoing reconciliation efforts, noting that such challenges are not peculiar to the PDP.
“Regarding the national, we are working hard to reconcile with aggrieved members. You can see we held a successful convention recently. We have a strong leadership structure in place,” he said.
“By the grace of God, all these internal divisions would be resolved. Show me a political party in Nigeria today that does not have any issues; you cannot find any. This is part of politics and democracy.”
He further assured that the party would emerge stronger ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in Kwara State.
“All issues would be resolved by the grace of God, and we’d have a strong showing in 2027, especially in Kwara State,” Gambari said.
Addressing the contentious zoning debate, particularly calls for the governorship ticket to be ceded to Kwara North, the PDP chieftain emphasised inclusiveness while reiterating the party’s commitment to merit-based participation.
“I think it’s important to make everybody feel included in the political process. For us in PDP, in 2023, we zoned our ticket to Kwara North because of the agitation for it,” he explained.
“As it stands today, we don’t have an official position restricting any zone. Anybody from Kwara North, South, or Central is allowed to express interest. We believe in merit and equal opportunity.”
On insecurity, OBG advocated a comprehensive and intelligence-driven approach, stressing the need for inter-state collaboration given Kwara’s geographical positioning.
“I believe that knowing the root of the problem is very important. We must invest significantly in intelligence gathering to understand where exactly the miscreants are coming from,” he said.
“Once intelligence is gathered, we will work closely with security agencies to determine areas where they need support, whether in funding or training.”
Highlighting the state’s proximity to neighbouring states, he called for a coordinated regional strategy.
“Kwara is surrounded by Niger, Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo. We need to engage these states as well. It requires a holistic approach; not just focusing on one community but working collaboratively to end insecurity,” he added.
Speaking on proposals for the establishment of development commissions for Kwara North and South, OBG said the initiative would enhance targeted development and accountability in underserved regions.
“The idea is to isolate funds meant for these regions and ensure they are properly monitored and judiciously spent.
“Importantly, the people from those areas should take responsibility for managing the resources to address their peculiar needs,” he said.
“We will also explore contributions from local governments. These funds will support rebuilding efforts and ensure balanced development across the state.”
On transparency and accountability, key pillars of his agenda, the aspirant pledged to institutionalise independent audits and citizen engagement mechanisms to build public trust.
“We would invite independent, trusted agencies to open our books regularly. Consulting firms will audit our accounts and publish the reports publicly; what was collected and how it was spent,” he stated.
He also proposed regular town hall meetings as a tool for participatory governance.
“We will hold quarterly town hall meetings across communities to inform people about our plans, what we’ve done, and what we intend to do, while also receiving their input. That way, governance becomes more inclusive and transparent,” Gambari said.
“We have absolutely nothing to hide. The trust reposed in us by the people must be upheld.”
On youth and women inclusion, Gambari outlined plans to prioritise skills development, entrepreneurship, and access to finance as part of his broader economic strategy.
“We have to engage them and clearly communicate our plans. We will emphasise digital training, skill acquisition, and vocational education,” he said.
“We will also promote micro-loans for women and traders to improve access to credit, alongside mentorship clusters to guide young entrepreneurs.”
According to him, addressing insecurity would further unlock investment opportunities and job creation for the state’s youthful population.
“A lot of our youths want to build their own businesses. With improved security, we can attract industries to Kwara, create jobs, and empower our young and vibrant population, including women who are eager to grow their businesses,” he added.
As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, Kwara State has begun to witness increased consultations, strategic alignments, and subtle campaigns across party lines, with major stakeholders positioning themselves for what observers describe as a potentially competitive electoral cycle.
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