Hon. Mahalia Aisha Ahman Pategi, a female governorship aspirant in Kwara State, broke down in tears on Sunday during her declaration speech when she remembered her late sister, Zainab Ahman Pategi. The emotional moment paused the political gathering as associates and well-wishers prayed for the repose of her sister's soul.
Regaining her composure, Pategi, a former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, expressed regret that her sister was not alive to witness this milestone. In her declaration held in Ilorin, she vowed to return the state to all its people, contrasting the current situation where only a few control its resources.
She stated: “Kwara belongs to us all, not to a few; not to a select group; not to privilege, but to every farmer in the field, every market woman in Oja-Oba, every youth searching for opportunity, and every child whose future depends on the decisions we make today.”
Pategi emphasized that her journey has always been about service, not titles. “From the halls of governance to the grassroots of our communities, to building solutions that empower people through financial inclusion, education, and opportunity, I have seen our strength. But I have also seen our struggles. My dear people of Kwara, we are not starting from zero. We are building on a foundation,” she explained.
She aligned her vision with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which focuses on economic growth, national development, and inclusive prosperity. “Here in Kwara State, we acknowledge and appreciate the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, whose efforts have laid important foundations for growth, stability, and governance. And we recognize those who came before him, whose contributions helped shape the Kwara we know today. But my dear people, leadership is a continuum. Every generation is called to build further, to do better, to go higher. That is why I stand before you today, not to compete with the past, but to build on it; not to divide, but to unite and advance. This is the next step for Kwara,” she declared.
She outlined her key focus areas if elected next year: economic empowerment and jobs; women at the center; youth power and innovation; agriculture and industrial growth; energy and infrastructure; and inclusion for all. “We will empower our people not just with words, but with tools. From small businesses to large industries, from farmers to digital entrepreneurs, we will create opportunities that put money in people’s hands,” she said.
On women’s role, she asserted: “Let me say this clearly: no woman, no nation! No woman, no Kwara. Women are not just participants in development, they are drivers of it.” Regarding youth, she noted: “Our youths are not a problem to manage, they are a force to unleash. We will invest in skills, technology, artificial intelligence, and innovation because when you build the youth, you build the nation.”
On agriculture and industrial growth, she promised a system where production meets opportunity, ensuring farmers not only farm but prosper. On energy and infrastructure, she stressed that no economy grows in darkness, vowing to prioritize electricity, infrastructure, and connectivity so development is felt, not just spoken about. She assured that her mission is to carry every Kwaran along, including women, youths, people living with disabilities, the underserved, and the forgotten.
Earlier, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly Ezekiel Benjamin-Issa, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations Jerry Kolo, and other stakeholders attested to Mahalia Aisha Ahman-Pategi’s credibility, describing her as a woman of substance, timber, and caliber.
