Kwara PDP Crisis Deepens As Gov Candidate Dumps Saraki Camp

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has deepened after one of its governorship candidates, Hassan Oladimeji, announced that he had severed political ties with former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Naija News reports that Oladimeji, who is recognised as the governorship candidate of the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the PDP, said he now belongs fully to the Turaki camp.

He distanced himself from the bloc associated with Saraki and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Oladimeji made the declaration while reacting to his recent suspension by the PDP leadership in Magaji Ngeri Ward, Ilorin West Local Government Area.

He dismissed the suspension as invalid, saying those behind it no longer had authority over him.

Oladimeji said, “First of all, on the issue of faction, it’s a well-known fact that there are two factions in PDP, the Wike-led and the Turaki-led factions.

“By my political association, I’ve been a member of the Wike faction. But I have since left them. I am no longer part of them. So, I belong to the Turaki camp.”

Oladimeji said his departure from the Saraki-aligned faction made the suspension baseless.

“If I don’t belong to you, who are you suspending? The suspension is baseless and meaningless because you can’t suspend someone who isn’t a part of you,” he said.

He further argued that his position within the Turaki-led interim National Working Committee (NWC) confirmed his standing in the party and shielded him from disciplinary action by a rival bloc.

The PDP stalwart acknowledged Saraki’s influence in his political journey but said their working relationship had ended.

“Yes, Bukola Saraki has been my leader for 25 years. I’ve worked with him for that long. But for now, I am not working for him,” he declared.

According to him, Saraki remains the leader of the Wike-aligned group in Kwara and cannot also lead the Turaki faction.

“As far as Kwara State is concerned, for the Wike group, Saraki is the leader. But he can also be the leader of the Turaki group; it is not possible,” Oladimeji said.

Oladimeji also denied claims that his actions were intended to benefit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I am not working for APC. APC is a party, PDP is a party. Maybe we may have a meeting point, but for now, I am not working for APC. That is categorical,” he stated.

He expressed hope that reconciliation could still happen within the PDP, but blamed the crisis on the unwillingness of some leaders to embrace dialogue early enough.

“Politics is a continuous process. You can agree and disagree. When there are rooms for reconciliation, you’ll sit down and discuss. That is what is lacking,” he said.

The Magaji Ngeri Ward leadership had earlier suspended Oladimeji over alleged anti-party activities and gross misconduct.

In a letter signed by Ward Chairman, Prince Aliyu Kolawole, and Ward Secretary, Taofeek Jimba, the party said he failed to appear before a disciplinary committee despite being invited.

The ward executives said his refusal to honour the invitation amounted to an admission of the allegations and suspended him from party activities for one month.

The dispute has produced rival governorship candidates in the Kwara PDP.

While Oladimeji is recognised by the Turaki-led camp, the Saraki-backed faction recognises Engr. Bolakale Kawu as the party’s governorship candidate.

The development has deepened uncertainty within the opposition party as political realignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.