2027: Kwara Senator Saliu Mustapha Dumps APC Amid Party Crisis

Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, has resigned his membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mustapha’s resignation comes amid an unresolved crisis within the Kwara chapter of the party following the conduct of its 2027 governorship and senatorial primaries.

In his resignation notice, obtained by Vanguard, the senator said his decision followed weeks of consultations with stakeholders, supporters, constituents and other well-meaning residents of Kwara State.

“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,” he said.

Mustapha said his decision was informed by his belief that politics should be centred on people, principles and 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 added.

The senator thanked the APC leadership, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the relationships and experiences he gained during his time in the party.

He also assured his constituents and supporters that his political affiliation might change, but his commitment to serving them would remain unchanged.

“I remain steadfast in my service to the people of Kwara Central, Kwara State and Nigeria at large,” Mustapha said.

Mustapha had contested the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election but lost to the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Salihu Yakubu Danladi.

He also reportedly lost the APC ticket for Kwara Central Senatorial District, which is expected to be contested by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on the party’s platform.

Sources cited by Vanguard said Mustapha may join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and could secure its Kwara Central senatorial ticket for the 2027 election, potentially setting up a contest with AbdulRazaq.

His resignation is also coming amid allegations by some aggrieved APC members that the party’s primaries in the state were marred by irregularities.

Although a reconciliation committee was constituted to address the grievances, the effort reportedly failed to resolve the crisis, with some aggrieved members declining to appear before the committee and subsequently seeking alternative political platforms ahead of 2027.

Mustapha is not the only APC chieftain reportedly leaving the party. Hon. Kolo Jiya from Patigi Local Government Area is also said to have resigned from the APC and joined the PDP, with reports suggesting he may seek the PDP ticket for Kwara North Senatorial District.

The development further deepens the political realignment in Kwara ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly following opposition from several APC governorship aspirants to what they described as the alleged imposition of Danladi as Governor AbdulRazaq’s preferred candidate.