APC rejects Kwara ex-lawmaker’s planned defection from SDP

An attempt by a former lawmaker in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Saheed Popoola who defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to the Social Democratic Party, SDP, to return to the APC has been rejected by his ward in Offa Local Government Area.

At the end of a stakeholders’ meeting of the party at Ile Ola-Oke Hall, Offa, the stakeholders said “Saheed Popoola is not welcome in Ojomu Central ‘B’ ward of the All Progressives Congress, Offa.”

The stakeholders agreed at the meeting that “there is no room in our ward to accommodate him, Saheed Popoola, and his followers. So, Saheed Popoola and his followers should stay clear to avoid fracas in the ward.”

Reacting to a letter from Popoola for re-absorption into the APC after his defeat in the last general election for a seat in the National Assembly, the ward stakeholders recalled a series of Popoola’s radio programmes which castigated Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

“Ojomu central ‘B’ ward of the APC needs the said Popoola to go back on the radio and retract the damaged image of the party and our amiable governor, Abduirazaq.

“The entire Ojomu central ‘B’ says he has not followed the due process, so he is not welcome in our ward,” the party said.

The stakeholders recalled that Popoola during the 2023 general elections directed his followers in the SDP to form an alliance and work with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to bring down governor Abdulrazaq.

“He should join the APC if necessary in 2026/2027.

“We urge him to come to give account of his stewardship during his tenure as a member of the state House of Assembly representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency Offa local government,” the stakeholders added.

The letter was signed by 51 stakeholders in the ward.