Former Kwara State lawmaker and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Hon. Saheed Popoola, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with his supporters in Offa, citing loss of fairness and justice within the ruling party.
Popoola, who represented the Ojomu/Balogun constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, said his decision followed “deep reflection” on the direction of the APC, which he claimed had deviated from its founding ideals.
“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.
The former lawmaker also accused Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of poor governance, alleging that insecurity and mismanagement had worsened under his leadership.
“We have never seen banditry in Kwara since its creation in 1967, but the current governor does not understand governance,” Popoola stated, adding that the ideals of the 2019 struggle that brought the APC to power had been abandoned.
Receiving Popoola and his supporters, the Kwara State PDP Chairman, Hon. Issa Bawa, described the defection as “a homecoming,” saying Popoola’s return would strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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 continue to support Governor Abdulrazaq in 2027.”
