Fresh political tension has emerged in Kwara State as the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) openly challenged former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki to formally identify with the ruling party instead of allegedly maintaining behind-the-scenes political ties at the national level.
The position of the party was made known by the Kwara APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, who reacted strongly to recent comments credited to Prof. Abubakar Sulyman, the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS). According to reports, Sulyman suggested that Saraki still enjoys a cordial relationship with influential figures within the APC leadership in Abuja.
Reacting to the development, Fagbemi dismissed the speculation as politically insignificant, insisting that the former Senate President’s alleged closeness to APC figures does not pose any danger to the ruling party’s grip on Kwara politics. He argued that such political moves reflect what he described as Saraki’s long-standing style of survival-driven politics.
According to Gossip News Now, the APC leadership in the state believes the former governor’s influence has reduced considerably over the years following repeated electoral defeats suffered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Fagbemi maintained that many politicians who once stood firmly with Saraki have already abandoned the PDP camp. While some reportedly joined the APC, others found their way into the African Democratic Congress (ADC), further weakening the former political structure associated with Saraki.
The APC chairman also suggested that the party intentionally avoided making excessive public noise about the alleged relationship between Saraki and national APC figures because it sees no genuine political threat from the situation.
Speaking further, Fagbemi challenged Saraki to prove his political sincerity by openly declaring for the APC in Kwara State and recognising Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the party leader in the state.
Rather than maintaining what he described as indirect political connections from Abuja, the APC chairman insisted that Saraki should subject himself to the party’s existing leadership structure if he truly wishes to associate with the ruling party.
He further argued that the political environment in Kwara has changed significantly, stressing that the APC has continued to dominate elections in the state while the PDP struggles to regain its footing.
In another sharp criticism, Fagbemi claimed that Saraki’s current political moves are largely motivated by an attempt to remain relevant after losing access to political power and government influence within the state.
The APC chairman nevertheless acknowledged that Saraki has the constitutional right to align politically with any platform of his choice. However, he insisted that transparency should guide any political relationship, especially when it concerns interactions with a rival political party.
Political Analysis
The latest comments from the Kwara APC leadership highlight the lingering political rivalry between supporters of Bukola Saraki and the current APC administration in the state. Although Saraki remains one of the most recognised political figures in Kwara politics, recent electoral outcomes suggest that the APC continues to consolidate its influence under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Political observers believe the public challenge issued by the APC may also be aimed at testing Saraki’s current standing among his remaining loyalists ahead of future political contests. The development further reflects the growing competition among major political actors seeking relevance ahead of Nigeria’s next electoral cycle.
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