Former Kwara State House of Assembly member, Saheed Popoola, has officially defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alongside his supporters in Offa Local Government Area.
Gossip News Now reports that Popoola, who previously represented the Ojomu/Balogun Constituency, announced his defection on Sunday, citing loss of direction and principles within the APC as his major reason for leaving.
He stated that his decision came after “deep reflection” on the state of the ruling party, noting that the APC had strayed from its founding ideals.
Popoola said,
“I was the first person to contest under the APC platform in 2013. We started the APC together with a vision built on justice and prosperity, but along the way, the party lost its soul. Loyalty became to individuals, not the people.”
Declaring his commitment to his new party, the former lawmaker emphasized that his move was based on conviction, not 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.”
Popoola expressed confidence that the PDP will reclaim power in Kwara State during the 2027 general elections, predicting a strong comeback for the opposition.
“The PDP is going to take over the government and governance of Kwara State in 2027,” he declared, drawing loud cheers from party supporters at the event.
Saheed Popoola has taken aim at Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, accusing him of failing to tackle rising insecurity and betraying the principles that brought the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power in 2019.
Gossip News Now reports that Popoola, who recently defected from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), blamed misgovernance for the recent wave of bandit attacks in parts of Kwara State.
“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 past leaders 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 said.
Popoola, once a key figure in the O To Ge (Enough is Enough) movement that ended PDP’s rule in 2019, lamented that the struggle’s original vision 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 added.
PDP Welcomes Popoola Back
Receiving Popoola and his supporters, Kwara PDP chairman Hon. Issa Bawa described the defection as a “homecoming”, saying it marks a new chapter for the opposition in the state.
“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, urging other former members to return to the fold.
“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 Reacts
However, the Kwara APC dismissed Popoola’s defection as “inconsequential.”
“The party won’t miss Saheed Popoola because his presence was never felt. He left long before the last general election and is only making it official today,” APC Publicity Secretary Waheed Babatunde stated.
He insisted that Offa remains a stronghold of the APC, expressing confidence that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq will retain power in 2027.
“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.
