A two-term member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Saheed Popoola, on Sunday defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with his supporters in Offa Local Government Area.
Naija News reports that Popoola, who represented Ojomu/Balogun Constituency in the Assembly, said his decision followed “deep reflection” on the direction of the APC.
He said, “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.
“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.”
The former lawmaker declared that the PDP would return to power in the state at the next general elections.
“The PDP is going to take over the government and governance of Kwara State in 2027,” he said to loud cheers from party faithful.
Popoola also criticised Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s handling of insecurity, blaming misgovernance for recent cases of banditry.
“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 stated.
Popoola, a former leader of the O to Ge (Enough is Enough) struggle that swept APC to power in 2019, lamented that the movement’s values had been abandoned.
“After the Otoge struggle, which many of us fought and sacrificed a lot for, the governor abandoned the ideals we stood for. Unity of purpose and inclusivity were thrown away, and personal interest took over,” he said.
PDP Welcomes Popoola Back
Receiving the defectors, state PDP chairman Hon. Issa Bawa described Popoola’s return as a “homecoming,” saying it would strengthen the party’s base ahead of 2027.
“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,” Bawa said.
He praised Popoola as a “man of integrity and conviction” and urged other former members to rejoin.
“Senator Bukola Saraki asked me to remind the people of Offa to compare what PDP did for them with what the APC has done. The difference is clear,” he said.
APC Dismisses Defection As ‘Inconsequential’
Reacting, the Kwara APC, according to Vanguard, dismissed Popoola’s exit, saying his presence in the party was never felt.
“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,” state APC Publicity Secretary, Mr. Waheed Babatunde, said.
He added, “Offa has always been progressive and will remain so. The people will continue to support Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the APC to retain power in 2027.”
