Saheed Popoola dumps APC for PDP in Kwara, citing injustice, insecurity, and betrayal of the Otoge ideals that brought the ruling party to power.
Saheed Popoola, a two-term member of the Kwara State House of Assembly and a notable chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alongside his supporters in Offa.
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Speaking during the defection event on Sunday in Offa Local Government Area, Saheed Popoola said his decision followed “deep reflection” on the current state of the APC, accusing the ruling party of losing its founding vision of justice and fairness.
“I was the first person to contest under the APC platform in 2013. We started the APC together with a vision of justice and prosperity, but over time, the party lost its soul,” Popoola declared. “Loyalty became to individuals, not the people.”
The former lawmaker emphasised that his move to the PDP was not out of desperation but conviction. “I’m joining the PDP not as a desperate politician but as a believer in fairness, justice, and equity. The PDP remains the only viable opposition in Nigeria,” he said.
Popoola confidently asserted that the PDP would reclaim power in Kwara State by 2027, insisting that the ruling party’s missteps and neglect of grassroots ideals had eroded public trust.
He also criticised the state government over rising insecurity, alleging that poor governance was responsible for the recent wave of banditry. “We have never seen banditry in Kwara since its creation in 1967. Hundreds have been killed because the current leadership does not understand governance,” he lamented.
Popoola, one of the former leaders of the O to Ge (Enough is Enough) movement that brought the APC to power in 2019, said the ideals of the struggle had been betrayed. “Unity and inclusivity have been thrown away, and personal interests have taken over,” he added.
Receiving Popoola and his supporters, the PDP State Chairman, Hon. Issa Bawa, described the defection as a “homecoming” that would boost the party’s base ahead of the next election. “Offa is for PDP in 2027. Offa will rise again,” Bawa declared, praising Popoola’s courage and integrity.
Bawa also quoted former Senate President Bukola Saraki, urging Offa residents to compare the PDP’s record with that of the APC, saying, “The difference is clear.”
In a swift reaction, Kwara APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Waheed Babatunde, dismissed Popoola’s departure as insignificant.
“His presence was never felt. He left long before the last election. Offa remains progressive and will support Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to retain power in 2027,” Babatunde said.
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The defection, however, marks a significant political shift in Offa, with observers noting that Popoola’s influence could reshape the contest ahead of 2027.
