JUST IN: NOA boss Lanre Issa-Onilu to join Kwara guber race

Lanre Issa-Onilu, the director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), may join the governorship race in Kwara State, says a report by TheCable newspaper.

Although Issa-Onilu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has yet to formally express his interest, the report said he is undertaking “fervent consultations” before throwing his hat in the ring.

Based on the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties are expected to conduct primaries to nominate candidates for various elective offices between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

Three senators — Lola Ashiru, Saliu Mustapha, and Suleiman Sodiq Umar — among several others, are said to be among those eyeing the Kwara governor’s seat.

Several Kwara political stakeholders, however, are said to be predisposed to the NOA DG becoming the successor to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

According to insiders privy to the political machinations in the state, Issa-Onilu is someone the establishment believes can continue to “refocus the socioeconomic trajectory of a state that was once pushed to the background by a dynastic rule”.

AbdulRazaq, who was ushered into office in 2019 through the ‘O to ge’ movement, recently expressed a desire to have his successor build on his legacy.

An insider told TheCable newspaper that Issa-Onilu is regarded as the politician with the “experience, solid understanding of the political evolution of the state, high dosage of progressivism, extensive network and clout” to take over from AbdulRazaq.

“His entry has reshaped the ongoing conversation on the succession game in Kwara. Onilu is a heavyweight within the ranks of the APC,” the report quoted a source close to both camps of AbdulRazaq and Issa-Onilu as saying.

“Feelers are that his candidacy is easily sellable as he possesses wide appeal within the party structure and across tendencies, and also boasts requisite leadership skills.”

Another political stakeholder in Kwara politics said Issa-Onilu’s chances are bolstered by his track record, describing him as a “bridge between the old people and the younger”.

“With Lanre Issa-Onilu, many stakeholders believe Kwara is buying one and getting many for free. He is an all-rounder: a deep thinker, strategist and problem solver, a reformer and performer,” said the politician who spoke to TheCable on the condition of anonymity.

Journalist, party spox, NOA DG: His journey so far

Issa-Onilu’s “rich understanding of party administration and consensus building” is also said to be working in his favour ahead of the governorship primaries.

The NOA DG, who was appointed to the position in October 2023, was a member of the national working committee of the APC. He took up the NOA mantle after serving as the party’s national publicity secretary.

Before becoming the mouthpiece of the ruling party, Issa-Onilu had spent over 25 years as a journalist, communications strategist, and public relations expert.

He worked with The Comet and ThisDay Newspapers, where he was the group politics editor.

Since he was appointed NOA helmsman, Issa-Onilu has received praise for helping to boost staff morale, digitalise operations and conceive the publication of explainers on government policies.

In 2024, he spearheaded the conceptualisation of CLHEEAN, an AI voice assistant that provides access to information on government policies, programmes and opportunities.