Mustapha defects to PDP, picks ticket for Kwara senatorial election

By Stephen Oladele

Senator Saliu Mustapha of the Kwara Central Senatorial District in Kwara State has taken ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest election of the district for a second term after he resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The politician had earlier resigned from the APC but remained silent on his next choice of party while there were however wide-spread speculations that he was going to join the PDP.

On Friday he disclosed on his Facebook page that he has picked up the PDP’s ticket to seek a reelection into the Senate.

As he is clinching the PDP ticket for the senatorial race another former member of the APC and former lawmaker at the state House of Assembly, Saheed Popoola, has also won a consensus nomination of the PDP stakeholders in the south senatorial district of the state for the party’s ticket for the district senatorial election.

Popoola was formerly in the APC and later in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before joining the PDP recently 

Mustapha while disclosing his picking up of the PDP’s ticket commended the party for the confidence reposed in him

“Today, I begin a new chapter with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as I pick up the party’s ticket to seek re-election as the Senator representing Kwara Central in 2027.

“I am grateful to the leadership and members of the PDP for the confidence placed in me, and to the good people of Kwara Central for their continued trust and support.

“Together, we move forward with greater commitment and determination to serve,” he wrote.

The senator had in his letter of resignation from the APC addressed to the party’s chairman in his Gambari Ward 1 in Ilorin East Local Government Area of the state alleged that the leadership of the APC in the state had fallen short of standards of integrity, competence, accountability and commitment to collective interest of the people.

He had also in a notice of resignation from the APC said he took the decision to resign after weeks of extensive consultations with his supporters and well meaning people of the state.

He however assured that while his political platform may change, his principles, purpose and commitment to the people remain unchanged.

The notice reads: “Following careful considerations of the recent developments in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, I have formally resigned my membership of the party in the state

“This is not a decision I have taken lightly. It follows weeks of extensive consultations and engagements with relevant stakeholders, my supporters, constituents across Kwara Central Senatorial District, and well-meaning Kwarans.

“As a politician, I have always believed that politics must be about people, principles and purpose. Where the path of a political platform no longer sufficiently aligns with these convictions and the aspirations of the people one represents, the honourable thing to do is to chart a new course.

“To the leadership of the APC ably led by H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, I express my deepest gratitude for the relationships and experiences I have been afforded over the years.

“To my constituents, supporters, political associates and stakeholders in Kwara State and beyond, I assure you that while my political platform may change, my principles, my purpose and my commitment to the people remain unchanged.

“I remain steadfast in my service to the people of Kwara Central, Kwara State and Nigeria at large.”