By – Afolabi Opeyemi
Moshood Mustapha is a political gladiator from Ilorin West LG of Kwara state. The Isale-Aluko born politician made inroads into the murky waters of politics in 2002 and since then, he has been swimming with the sharks.
MM’s striking attributes are his greatest survival strategies and this has consolidated his relevance in Kwara political milieu.
The political stalwart has some unique acquired and in-built skills which has placed him on high pedestal in Kwara politics.
As a politician, MM’s ability to network well with people across all strata of the social ladder is an added advantage to his political career; reason being that “the calibre of people you relate with will determine how far you will go in life.”
Asides that, MM is widely travelled and over the years, he has carved a niche for himself both nationally and internationally. MM’s penchant for international travels has availed him the opportunity to meet with a lot of Kwarans in diaspora who are authorities in their fields of endeavour and this is certainly an added advantage to his political career.
MM’s ability to galvanize support across all political divide is an attribute that will come handy in his much publicized gubernatorial ambition. Also, his courage, assertiveness, political experience, versatility, and liberal-mindedness will stand him out amongst other gubernatorial aspirants because it is widely believed that only someone with such attributes can move Kwara from its present state of socio-economic and political doldrums.
The hallmark of MM’s gubernatorial ambition is to foster inclusive economic growth where everyone will reap the dividends of democracy.
MM, being a man who has the interest of the youths at heart, one can clearly deduce that the youths will be the centerpiece of his administration if he is elected as the governor of Kwara State in 2019.
Also, women and children will not be left out in his administration because he has over the years, demonstrated his love for them through his philanthropic gestures towards them.
MM’s experience as a one-time Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters will come to play if he is elected as the governor of Kwara state because he is versatile on the politics of the traditional institution.
In addition, MM is a renown political strategist, therefore, the political class in Kwara state will benefit immensely from his administration because he will carry them along all step of the way.
MM is a grassroots politician to the core because he is always in touch with people at the grassroots and that is an attribute of a good leader. A cursory look at the array of politicians he surrounds himself with shows that not only is he a grassroots politician, he also courts the friendship of grassroots politicians so as to reach out to the people in the remotest parts of the state.
Charity they say begins at home; the unwavering love and support MM gets from his home-base is overwhelming. But that is not to say he does not have foes; far from it! But the good thing is that his supporters outnumber his foes and that is something to be thankful for.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the civil service is the engine room of governance. Therefore, MM’s experience in the civil service is a veritable tool that would be used to alleviate the suffering of the civil servants across the state.
The recent times have witnessed a paradigm shift from dependence on crude oil to the diversification of the economy; and government at both national and state levels have placed premium on the development of the agricultural sector. Therefore, in order to ensure food sufficiency, alleviate hunger, increase exports and generate income in Kwara state, the state needs a governor who is well inclined about the agricultural sector. MM fits perfectly into this position because of his experience as a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources. His wealth of experience in the agricultural sector will translate into the development of a robust agricultural sector in Kwara state.
Furthermore, MM’s ability to develop a master plan that would change the entire outlook of Kwara state is hinged on his experience as a one-time commissioner for Lands and Housing. MM’s knowledge on rural-urban development cannot be overemphasized, and this knowledge will be instrumental in making important decisions bordering on the physical development of the state.
MM’s striking attributes, as outlined above, is a pointer to his ability to effectively pilot the affairs of Kwara state if he is elected as the Executive Governor of the state in 2019.
“The pathway to securing a good future for our children is by having the right people at the helm of affairs not only in Kwara state but Nigeria at large.”
