Senator’s exit rocks Kwara APC as 12 ward executives resign

The political fallout from Senator Saliu Mustapha’s defection from the All Progressives Congress has begun, with 12 ward executives of the party in Ilorin East Local Government Area resigning their positions and membership.

The executives, including the ward chairman and secretary of Gambari Ward 1, announced their exit within hours of Mustapha’s departure from the ruling party.

The defecting officials said they were leaving the APC to join Mustapha in the Peoples Democratic Party, aligning with what they described as an emerging political coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Among those who resigned were the ward chairman, Aliyu Abdulhakeem, secretary Abdulwaheed Adanla, treasurer Olayinka Odunlami, auditor-general Kelani Kola Saheed and other members of the ward executive.

In separate resignation letters, the officials thanked the APC for the opportunity to serve but announced their withdrawal from both party membership and their respective positions.

Their decision followed Mustapha’s exit from the APC and move to the PDP, where he secured the party’s ticket to contest for the Kwara Central senatorial seat in 2027.

Mustapha had cited concerns over developments within the Kwara APC and consultations with his supporters as reasons for leaving the ruling party.

The resignation of the ward executives represents the first major political consequence of the senator’s defection and could signal further realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.