Kwara APC mocks Mustapha’s defection as ‘political tourism’

More than 50 ward chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara Central have dismissed Senator Saliu Mustapha’s defection to the Peoples Democratic Party, describing the move as “political tourism” driven by personal interest.

The chairmen said Mustapha’s exit would not weaken the APC’s grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that the ruling party remained intact across the senatorial district.

They were led by Baba Gobir Abdullahi, chairman of Gambari Ward II and chairman of APC ward chairmen across Kwara State’s 193 wards.

Gobir said ward executives remained the “engine room” of the party and would continue mobilising voters behind Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and other APC candidates.

He also rejected suggestions that Mustapha’s victory in the 2023 senatorial election was built solely on his personal political strength.

According to him, the victory was the product of the APC structure, grassroots mobilisation and AbdulRazaq’s leadership.

“Do not be distracted by the political tourism of individuals who prioritise their personal comfort over your collective progress,” Gobir said.

“The APC remains the only party that puts the welfare of the ordinary Kwarans at the centre of governance.”

The ward chairmen subsequently passed a vote of confidence in AbdulRazaq and endorsed the APC governorship candidate, Salihu Yakubu Danladi, pledging to work for the party’s victory in 2027.

Mustapha’s camp, however, rejected the attempt to downplay the defection.

A senior aide to the senator, Alabi Abdulkareem, argued that the volume of reactions from APC figures since Mustapha left the party suggested that the development had rattled the ruling party.

“Since Senator Saliu Mustapha left the APC, all of them, from top to bottom, have lost sleep,” Abdulkareem said.

He claimed that several APC figures had appeared on local radio and national television stations to discuss the defection, while emergency press conferences had also been held.

Abdulkareem further claimed that more APC grassroots officials were sympathetic to Mustapha, alleging that over half of the remaining ward chairmen in Kwara Central were “fully with us in spirit and soul” despite remaining formally in the party.