Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Following his move to the opposition party, Mustapha obtained the PDP nomination form to contest the Kwara Central senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
The lawmaker formally received the nomination form from the Kwara State PDP chairman as part of the process marking his entry into the party.
Mustapha’s defection comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
His defection followed his resignation from the APC, which he said was prompted by the failure of the party’s leadership in Kwara State to uphold the principles of collective unity and internal democracy.
Mustapha’s resignation was contained in a letter dated August 14, 2026, and addressed to the APC Ward Chairman, Gambari Ward 1, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State.
In the letter titled, “Resignation of Membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” the senator said he was resigning his membership of the ruling party with immediate effect.
He said the decision followed “careful reflection and extensive consultations” with his constituents and key stakeholders.
Mustapha said he joined the APC as a founding member with a commitment to its ideals of good governance, unity and service to the people.
However, he said recent developments within the party in Kwara State, particularly under its current leadership, had departed from the principles upon which the APC was founded.
“I joined the APC as a founding member, committed to its ideals of good governance, unity and service to the people,” Mustapha said.
“However, recent developments within the APC in our State, particularly the leadership of the Party in Kwara State, have departed from the founding core principles of collective unity and internal democracy on which the APC was built.”
The senator further said political leadership should be based on integrity, competence, accountability and a genuine commitment to the collective interest of the people.
He accused the current APC leadership in Kwara State of falling short of those standards, saying the situation had eroded his confidence in the party’s leadership.
“I believe political leadership must be anchored on integrity, competence, accountability and a sincere commitment to the collective interest of the people,” he stated.
“The current leadership of the Party in Kwara State has fallen short of these standards and this has eroded my confidence in them.”
Despite his resignation from the APC, Mustapha said he remained committed to serving the people of Kwara Central, Kwara State and Nigeria.
He pledged to continue his political activities with integrity, dedication and in the best interest of humanity.
“I remain fully committed to serving the people of Kwara Central, Kwara State and Nigeria with integrity, dedication and in the best interest of humanity,” he said.
