“The legal luminary also stressed the need for the movement of experienced lawyers from the Bar to the Bench.”
Politics
Powerful Former APC Lawmaker Dumps Party, Decamps To PDP, Reasons Emerge
A former member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Saheed Popoola, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ending weeks of speculation about his political future.
The two-term lawmaker made the announcement on Sunday in Offa, Offa Local Government Area, where he was formally received alongside a large group of his supporters, Vanguard reported.
Popoola, who represented Ojomu/Balogun constituency, said his decision followed “deep reflection” on the state of the APC, which he accused of abandoning its founding ideals.
I was the first person to contest under the APC platform in 2013 in Nigeria. We started the APC together with a vision of justice and prosperity, but over time, the party lost its soul. Loyalty became to individuals, not the people,” he said.
Popoola explained 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 is peaceful and remains the only viable opposition in Nigeria,” he said.Kwara in 2027, adding that the people were already disillusioned with the APC administration. “The PDP is going to take over the government and governance of Kwara State in 2027,” he said amid applause from his supporters.
Popoola also criticized the current government for the rising cases of banditry and insecurity in parts of the state. He said the development was a result of “misgovernance and poor leadership.”
“We have never seen banditry in Kwara since its creation in 1967. Hundreds of our people have been killed. Banditry existed in Niger State for years but never crossed into Kwara because the leaders then knew what they were doing. But the current Governor does not understand governance. He thinks only about himself and his ideas, that’s why we are where we are today,” he said.
Receiving the defectors, Kwara PDP Chairman, Hon. Issa Bawa, described Popoola’s return as a “homecoming,” saying his presence would boost the party’s strength ahead of the 2027 polls.
“What we have seen today shows clearly that PDP is regaining its momentum. Offa is for PDP in 2027. Offa will rise again and be great again,” he said.
Bawa praised Popoola’s courage, calling him “a man of integrity and conviction.” He also quoted former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who urged the people to “compare what PDP did for them with what the APC has done. The difference is clear.”
However, the APC dismissed the defection as insignificant. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Waheed Babatunde, said Popoola’s exit would not affect the party’s chances.
“The party won’t miss Saheed Popoola because his presence was never felt. He left long before the last general election and he’s only making it official today,” Babatunde stated.
He added that Offa remains a stronghold of progressive politics and would continue to support Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the APC in the 2027 elections.
Former Governor of Rivers State Rotimi Amaechi has ended speculation that he might team up as a running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 general elections.
Daily voice reports that there has been speculation that the former governor would deputize Atiku Abubakar, who is likely to emerge as the flagbearer of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking at a recent event in Abuja, Amaechi addressed the rumors head-on, framing his refusal as a matter of both personal stature and constitutional frustration.
Amaechi, a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, argued that his experience and political profile make a subordinate role untenable.
He said: “I will not be vice president to anybody. There are too many reasons why I won’t be vice president to anybody. The first reason is that I’m too presidential to be vice.”
Amaechi, who is also eyeing the presidential ticket of the ADC, the problem with the office of vice president is not ceremonial, it is structural.
The immediate past Minister of Transportation claimed that in Nigeria the office of the vice president is designed to be subordinate, often powerless, and depend entirely on the temperament of the president.
“We will quarrel, instead of that, I would rather be a minister than be a vice president”, Amaechi said.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Wole Olanipekun, has urged the Olu badan of Ibadan land, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to bring his wealth of experience as a seasoned administrator and foremost traditional ruler to bear in uniting traditional rulers in the Southwest region.
Advocating for a unified identity among the traditional rulers in the region, the legal luminary said traditional rulers can only advance the course of the region with unity of purpose.
Olanipekun made the plea during a courtsey visit to the Olubadan at his Oke-Aremo palace, Ibadan on Tuesday.
He urged the monarch to bring his wealth of experience as former governor, senator and entrepreneur to bear in the interest of the traditional institution in the region.
He described Oba Ladoja as a leading figure among the traditional rulers in Yorubaland, noting the history of the ancient town and the role that it played in wading off the invasion of the Fulani Jihadist.
He said, “It is of note how Ibadan warlords fought gallantly to defend the territorial integrity of the Yorubaland during Kiriji war, Ijaiye war, Jalumi to mention but few.
“With all these in minds, people are looking unto Ladoja as a foremost tradional rulers to bring his wealth of experience to bear in giving the traditional rulers a uniform identity.
“Oba Ladoja has seen it all as a governor and senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His impeachment case and the Supreme Court ruling that invalidate the decision of the House of Assembly has become a reference case.
“Lawyers always make reference to this case whenever such matter arises either at the lower or upper courts.
“Many governors have been saved through the case instituted by Ladoja from any form of unconstitutional impeachment from office.
“As a traditional ruler that have weathered many storms, all eyes are on you.
“We must ensure that unnecessary cracks are not created on the walls of the traditional rulers in Yorubaland so that the onslaught of the lizard can be checkmate.”
In his response, Ladoja described Olanipekun as a foremost lawyer who is being governed by the fear of God.
Ladoja while acknowledging the role of Olanipekun in the promotion of the legal profession stressed the need for timely dispensation of justice.
He said, “There is need for speedy dispensation of cases at the various courts. Litigants are being discouraged with the delayed being experience in the dispensation of justice.
Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has urged leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to prepare to ally with other political parties if the national leadership fails to resolve its deepening crisis.
Lamido said he would lead the PDP in Jigawa into such alliances to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
The former governor made the declaration on Monday during a meeting held at his office with PDP leaders and supporters from all 27 local government areas of Jigawa State.
Speaking to the gathering, Lamido, who governed the state from 2007 to 2015, briefed party faithful on the leadership tussle that has effectively paralyzed the PDP national headquarters.
He revealed that the party’s national secretariat remained under a police lockdown as rival factions continue to vie for control of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Despite national paralysis, Lamido assured that the PDP leadership in Jigawa State remained “intact” and ready to act upon clear directives.
Before the meeting, he reportedly held discussions with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Senate President Bukola Saraki in efforts to explore solutions to the unfolding crisis.
Lamido said the fate of the PDP now rested with governors Bala Muhammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), as well as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He confirmed that the party’s reconciliation committee, led by Saraki, had consulted with the governors and Wike in a bid to broker peace within the party.
Lamido, a founding member of the PDP since 1998, said a failure of internal reconciliation would make alliances with other opposition parties unavoidable.
He told the gathering, “If reconciliation fails, alliances, not coalitions, will become inevitable.
“You know there is a difference between alliance and coalition; we are going to form alliances with any of the opposition parties.”
He said the outcome of the reconciliation efforts would be communicated to grassroots leaders on Wednesday, after which the party in Jigawa would be shown “the direction to follow.”
No Merger, But Strategic Partnerships
Lamido clarified that the PDP was not considering a merger with other parties but rather a strategic alliance, a move he described as capable of reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 polls.
His comments come amid concerns among his supporters that he might defect, particularly after his inability to purchase the nomination form to contest the National Chairman post, a matter he is currently pursuing in court.
Despite his long association with the party, Lamido criticised PDP governors, lawmakers and leaders, accusing them of neglecting the party’s unity and prioritising personal interests over the collective survival of the party.
The crisis at the heart of the PDP, which has led to high‑profile defections to the APC, remains a power struggle over the position of National Chairman, with internal fractures deepening since the 2023 general elections.
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