Fmr. Kwara lawmaker dumps APC for PDP

Former Kwara lawmaker and APC chieftain, Hon. Saheed Popoola, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with his supporters in Offa, citing loss of fairness and justice within the ruling party.

Popoola, who represented the Ojomu/Balogun constituency, said he joined the PDP after “deep reflection” on the direction of the APC.

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

He accused Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of poor governance, saying, “We have never seen banditry in Kwara since its creation in 1967 but the current governor does not understand governance.”

He also said the ideals of the 2019 struggle that brought the APC to power had been abandoned.

Receiving the defectors, state PDP chairman Hon. Issa Bawa described Popoola’s return as “a homecoming,” saying it would strengthen the party ahead of 2027.

However, the APC dismissed the defection as insignificant.

“The party won’t miss Saheed Popoola because his presence was never felt. He left long before the last election,” APC spokesperson Waheed Babatunde said, adding that Offa “will remain progressive and support Governor Abdulrazaq in 2027.”