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.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has voided and set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court which ordered the proscription of the African Democratic Congress ADC, Accord Party and three others.
The appellate court in a judgment on Tuesday held that the Forum of Former Legislators, which filed the deregistration suit have no locus standi to have instituted the matter.
The Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Peter Odo Lifu was consequently voided, set aside and thrown out.
In the unambiguous judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Abba Bello, a penalty of N1 million was awarded against the former legislators that filed the case.
More details later…
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has been appointed as one of the co-chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council ahead of the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.
The ruling party announced that the campaign council will be inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday as part of preparations for the off-cycle governorship election.
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, will chair the council, while Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas will serve as co-chairmen.
The APC also appointed Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Political and Other Matters, as deputy chairman of the council, while Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin will serve as secretary.
According to the party, specialised committees have also been created to oversee campaign planning, finance, grassroots mobilisation, logistics, media, security, youth and women’s mobilisation, persons with disabilities, protocol, monitoring, and secretariat duties as campaigns gather pace ahead of the election.Government
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has dismissed reports linking him with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that he remains fully committed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.APC party information
The governor reacted after photographs of him with the ADC’s Ondo Central Senatorial candidate, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, surfaced online following a church service at the Government House Chapel in Akure on Sunday.
The images, which also showed some of Akinyelure’s supporters and other personalities from Idanre, led to speculation that Aiyedatiwa was building political ties with members of the opposition.
Responding through a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor described the reports as “false, misleading and deliberately mischievous,” accusing those behind them of trying to create division within the APC.
Aiyedatiwa explained that the Government House Chapel, like the mosque within the Government House complex, is a public place of worship open to everyone, regardless of political affiliation.
“The Government House Chapel is a public place of worship. Just like the Mosque within the Government House premises, the Chapel is open to all citizens, religious leaders and public officials who wish to worship. It is not an APC-only facility. To suggest otherwise is to misunderstand the purpose of Government House as the house of all the people of Ondo State,” the statement said.
The governor clarified that Senator Ayo Akinyelure attended the church service to worship and also used the opportunity to appreciate him for sending representatives and a goodwill message to his 70th birthday celebration held last week.
According to the statement, “Senator Akinyelure was at the Government House Chapel to worship and to personally thank His Excellency for sending representation and a goodwill message on the occasion of his 70th birthday last week. This is a normal act of courtesy, decorum and respect that transcends party lines.”
The statement further pointed out that Senator Ayo Akinyelure is the younger brother of Chief Pius Akinyelure, a prominent APC leader, ally of President Bola Tinubu and Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council in Ondo State.APC party information
Rejecting claims of any political understanding with the ADC, the governor stressed that the meeting should not be interpreted as an alliance with the opposition.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa remains committed to the APC and all its candidates. The Governor will work with all party structures to ensure that APC wins all elections in Ondo State,” the statement added.
The governor urged APC members and residents of the state to ignore what he described as attempts by political opponents to sow confusion within the ruling party, maintaining that his administration remains focused on governance rather than political distractions.Leadership development programs
“The Governor remains focused. The APC remains strong. And Ondo State will continue to progress,” the statement concluded.
The clarification comes amid political tension within the Ondo APC following the party’s recent primary elections and growing speculation over the rivalry between Governor Aiyedatiwa and Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
It is reported that the outcome of the recent primary election favoured allies of Tunji-Ojo over Aiyedatiwa’s loyalists, fuelling speculation of growing political tension between the two leaders
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