Ex-Kwara Lawmaker Saheed Popoola Dumps APC for PDP

A two-term member of the Kwara State House of Assembly and prominent chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Saheed Popoola, has defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with his supporters in Offa Local Government Area of the state.

Popoola, who represented the Ojomu/Balogun constituency in the Kwara Assembly, announced his defection on Sunday during a well-attended event in Offa, saying his decision followed “deep reflection” on the current state and direction of the APC.

“I was the first person to contest under the APC platform in 2013 in Nigeria. We started the APC together with a vision of justice and prosperity, but over time, the party lost its soul. Loyalty became to individuals, not the people,” he said.

According to the former lawmaker, his move to the PDP was driven by principles rather than desperation.

“I’m joining the PDP not as a desperate politician but as a believer in fairness, justice, and equity. The PDP is peaceful and remains the only viable opposition in Nigeria,” Popoola declared.

He also expressed confidence that the PDP would reclaim power in Kwara in the next election cycle.

“The PDP is going to take over the government and governance of Kwara State in 2027,” he told cheering supporters.

Popoola Blames State Government for Rising Insecurity

Popoola criticised the current Kwara State government over what he described as increasing insecurity and incidents of banditry in some parts of the state.

“We have never seen banditry in Kwara since its creation in 1967. Hundreds of our people have been killed. Banditry existed in Niger State for years but never crossed into Kwara because the leaders then knew what they were doing,” he said.

He accused Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of lacking leadership vision and prioritising personal interests over governance.

“The current governor does not understand governance. He thinks only about himself and his ideas, that’s why we are where we are today,” Popoola alleged.

‘O To Ge’ Ideals Betrayed — Popoola

Popoola, one of the leading figures in the 2019 O To Ge (“Enough is Enough”) movement that helped unseat the PDP in the state, lamented that the ideals of the struggle had been betrayed by those who benefitted most from it.

“After the O To Ge struggle, which many of us fought and sacrificed for, the governor abandoned the ideals we stood for. Unity of purpose and inclusivity were thrown away, and personal interest took over,” he said.

PDP Welcomes Popoola, Says It’s a ‘Homecoming’

Receiving the defectors, the Kwara State PDP Chairman, Hon. Issa Bawa, described Popoola’s return as a “homecoming,” expressing confidence that his defection would further strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

“What we have seen today shows clearly that PDP is regaining its momentum. Offa is for PDP in 2027. Offa will rise again and be great again,” Bawa said.

He praised Popoola as a “man of integrity and conviction” and urged other former PDP members to return to rebuild the party.

“Senator Bukola Saraki asked me to remind the people of Offa to compare what PDP did for them with what the APC has done. The difference is clear,” he added.

APC Dismisses Popoola’s Exit as Inconsequential

Reacting to the defection, the Kwara APC dismissed Popoola’s move as insignificant, claiming he had been inactive in the party long before the 2023 general elections.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Waheed Babatunde, said:

“The party won’t miss Saheed Popoola because his presence was never felt. He left long before the last general election and is only making it official today.”

Babatunde maintained that Offa remained a stronghold of the APC and that the people would continue to support Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s administration.

“Offa has always been progressive and will remain so. The people will continue to support Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the APC to retain power in 2027,” he stated.

Opinion Nigeria News