Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, APC, citing a breakdown of internal democracy and unity in the party’s Kwara State chapter.
Mustapha announced his resignation in a letter addressed to the APC Ward Chairman in Gambari Ward 1, Ilorin East LGA of Kwara State.
In the letter, he said the decision followed “careful reflection and extensive consultations” with his constituents and key stakeholders.
The senator, a founding member of the APC, said recent developments under the current state leadership had departed from the principles on which the party was founded.
“I believe political leadership must be anchored on integrity, competence, accountability and a sincere commitment to the collective interest of the people,” he wrote.
“The current leadership of the party in Kwara State have fallen short of these standards, and this have eroded my confidence in them,” he added.
Mustapha’s resignation comes after he failed to secure the APC governorship ticket for the 2027 election in Kwara State.
He had obtained the nomination form and participated in the party’s primary held on May 22. The primary was won by Speaker of the Kwara House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, with 94,990 votes.
Abdulfatai Seriki polled 41,700 votes to place second, while Bashir Bolarinwa came third with 22,118 votes.
Following the primary, Mustapha joined the other two serving senators from Kwara, Oyelola Ashiru and Sadiq Umar, to call for a review of the process, citing the exclusion of legitimate stakeholders.
In June, the three senators said the party needed urgent reconciliation to address internal grievances.
The resignation also follows reports that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has emerged as the APC’s preferred candidate for the Kwara Central senatorial seat in 2027, the seat currently occupied by Mustapha.
The senator, however, said his exit from the APC will not affect his commitment to his constituents. “I remain fully committed to serving the people of Kwara Central, Kwara State and Nigeria with integrity and dedication,” he stated.
Media reports indicate that Mustapha is considering joining the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to contest against Governor AbdulRazaq in 2027. Authority.
