Kwara PDP governorship candidate breaks ranks with Saraki, says he no longer follows him

The governorship candidate of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State has declared that former Senate President Bukola Saraki is no longer his political leader.

Hassan Oladimeji, who is running under the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the PDP, made the declaration while reacting to his recent suspension by ward leaders of the party. He stated that he had formally parted ways with the faction aligned with Saraki and Nyesom Wike, and is now fully committed to the Turaki camp, which he described as the authentic leadership of the party.

Oladimeji dismissed his suspension by the Magaji Ngeri Ward leadership as baseless, arguing that a faction he no longer belongs to lacks the authority to discipline him. He maintained that he holds a position within the Turaki-led interim National Working Committee of the PDP and remains an active member of that structure.

The governorship candidate acknowledged that Saraki had been his leader for 25 years but insisted that their political paths have now diverged. He denied suggestions that he is working for the ruling All Progressives Congress to weaken the PDP in Kwara State, stating categorically that he is not working for the APC.

The development comes amid a deepening crisis within the PDP, which has fractured into rival national factions. In Kwara State, the dispute has produced two governorship candidates, with the Saraki-aligned faction recognising a different nominee. Oladimeji expressed openness to future reconciliation but criticised some leaders for refusing to engage in dialogue.