APC Chieftain, Ex-Lawmaker Saheed Popoola Defects to PDP in Kwara

A two-term member of the Kwara State House of Assembly and prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Hon. Saheed Popoola, has defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Popoola, who represented the Ojomu/Balogun constituency of Offa, made the announcement on Sunday in Offa Local Government Area, where he was received by PDP leaders and supporters.

Speaking at the defection rally, Popoola said his decision followed “deep reflection” on the direction of the ruling party.

“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.

The former lawmaker insisted that his move to the PDP was not driven by desperation.
“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 added.

Popoola expressed confidence that the PDP would reclaim power in the state during the next general election.

“The PDP is going to take over the government and governance of Kwara State in 2027,” he declared, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

He also accused the APC-led state government of mismanaging security, citing the recent wave of banditry in parts of Kwara.

“We have never seen banditry in Kwara since its creation in 1967. Hundreds of our people have been killed,” he said.

“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.”

Popoola, one of the leaders of the 2019 “Otoge” (Enough is Enough) movement that swept the APC to power, accused the government of betraying the struggle’s ideals.

“After the Otoge struggle, which many of us fought and sacrificed for, the governor abandoned the ideals we stood for. Unity of purpose and inclusivity were thrown away, and personal interest took over,” he lamented.

Receiving Popoola and his supporters, the state PDP chairman, Hon. Issa Bawa, described the defection as “a homecoming.”

“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 commended Popoola as “a man of integrity and conviction” and urged other former PDP stalwarts to return.

“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 added.

However, the ruling APC in Kwara downplayed the defection, describing Popoola’s move as insignificant.

Reacting through its Publicity Secretary, Waheed Babatunde, the party said:
“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.”

He maintained that Offa remained a stronghold of the APC.

“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,” he said.