The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has mocked the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the resignation of Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central Senatorial District, from the party.
The PDP described Mustapha’s resignation as a further indication of what it called the deepening crisis and leadership failure within the Kwara APC.
The party, in a statement issued on Friday by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, said the resignation of the serving senator had exposed growing divisions within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mustapha, a founding member of the APC and one of the key figures involved in the 2013 merger that produced the party, announced his resignation in a letter dated August 14 and addressed to the Chairman of Gambari Ward I in Ilorin East Local Government Area.
In the letter, the senator cited recent developments within the APC in Kwara State as the reason for his decision.
Reacting to the development, the PDP said the resignation was a major political setback for the APC and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
“Governor AbdulRazaq has failed his party just as he has failed the people of Kwara State. He now presides over a party that is fatally fractured, internally weakened and increasingly rejected by ordinary Kwarans,” Adewara said.
The PDP further alleged that the resignation demonstrated that the leadership crisis within the APC had reached a critical stage.
“The resignation of Senator Saliu Mustapha is not an ordinary political development; it is a loud confirmation that the leadership crisis in the APC has reached a dangerous and irreversible stage,” the party said.
According to the opposition party, a governor who is unable to unite and retain prominent figures within his political party cannot provide effective and inclusive leadership for the state.
The PDP also likened the Kwara APC to a “runaway car heading to doom,” accusing the AbdulRazaq administration of failing to provide effective political leadership.
“What is happening to the Kwara APC today is not just political migration. It is the inevitable collapse of a party built on lies, deceit, image laundering and propaganda,” Adewara said.
The party also alleged that Governor AbdulRazaq was uncomfortable with the political growth of other prominent figures in the state, whom it claimed were being treated as political competitors.
“The tragedy of the AbdulRazaq-led APC is that it has been led by a governor who appears uncomfortable with the political growth and stature of other prominent Kwara people, treating perceived political competitors as threats that must be eliminated from his political journey at all costs,” the PDP said.
Adewara also referenced the recent resignation of Ambassador Kolo Jiya, the Haske of Lafiagi, alongside other APC leaders from Kwara North, saying the developments showed growing dissatisfaction among party stakeholders.
The PDP called on other APC members who, according to the party, were reluctant to leave to follow Mustapha’s example.
“We call on every distinguished Kwaran still trapped in the APC out of sheer reluctance to leave to summon courage and take the bold step now. Leave the skidding APC vehicle before it lands you in a political dungeon,” Adewara said.
The opposition party maintained that the PDP remained a viable platform for what it described as the restoration of purposeful leadership and shared prosperity in Kwara State.
Meanwhile, Mustapha, who is also the Turaki of Ilorin Emirate, said his decision to leave the APC followed weeks of consultations with stakeholders, supporters and constituents across Kwara Central.
“This is not a decision I have taken lightly. It follows weeks of extensive consultations and engagements with relevant stakeholders, my supporters, constituents across Kwara Central Senatorial District, and well-meaning Kwarans,” Mustapha said.
He said his decision was based on his belief that politics should be driven by the interests of the people, principles and a clear sense of purpose.
“As a politician, I have always believed that politics must be about people, principles and purpose. Where the path of a political platform no longer sufficiently aligns with these convictions and the aspirations of the people one represents, the honourable thing to do is to chart a new course,” he said.
Mustapha, however, thanked the APC leadership, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the relationships and experiences he gained during his years in the party.
He also assured his constituents that his resignation from the APC would not affect his commitment to serving the people of Kwara Central and the state.
“My political platform may change, but my principles, my purpose and my commitment to the people remain unchanged,” Mustapha said.
His next political destination remains uncertain, although there have been speculations that he could align with the PDP.
The development comes amid growing political tension and realignments within the Kwara APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
When contacted, the Kwara APC spokesperson, Babatunde Olawale, said the party had yet to issue an official reaction to Mustapha’s resignation.
He added that the party’s position would be communicated in due course.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq were unsuccessful, as his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mashood Agboola, ended the call while the correspondent was still speaking.
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