Kwara APC crisis deepens as Senator Saliu Mustapha quits

Kwara Central senator, Saliu Mustapha, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress amid growing political realignments and disagreements within the party’s Kwara State chapter ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The senator announced his resignation in a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, accompanied by a resignation letter dated 14 August 2026, addressed to the APC chairman of Gambari Ward 1, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Mr Mustapha said his decision followed weeks of consultations with political stakeholders, supporters, constituents across Kwara Central and other well-meaning Kwarans.

He said the decision was prompted by recent developments within the Kwara chapter of the APC.

“Following careful consideration of the recent developments in the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State, I have formally resigned my membership of the party in the state,” he stated.

The senator stressed that the decision was not taken lightly.

“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,” he added.

Senator says politics must serve the people

Mr Mustapha, who was elected to the Senate on the APC platform, said his political decisions had always been guided by the principles of putting people, principles and purpose at the centre of politics.

“As a politician, I have always believed that politics must be about people, principles and purpose.”

He added that when a political platform no longer sufficiently aligned with his convictions and the aspirations of the people he represents, the appropriate response was to chart a new political course.

“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,” he said.

Mustapha thanks Tinubu, APC leadership

Despite his resignation, Mr Mustapha expressed appreciation to the APC leadership under President Bola Tinubu for the relationships and experiences he gained during his years in the party.

“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,” he stated.

He also assured his constituents and supporters that leaving the APC would not diminish his commitment to representing them.

“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,” Mr Mustapha said.

He added:

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

Resignation comes ahead of 2027

Mr Mustapha’s resignation comes against the backdrop of political realignments in Kwara ahead of the 2027 elections and disagreements within the state APC.

The senator had previously emerged as one of the prominent figures associated with the G15/TOP, a group of aggrieved APC stakeholders in the state.

His exit from the ruling party could therefore add another dimension to the ongoing political realignment in Kwara as parties and political blocs position themselves for the 2027 elections.

What it means for Kwara politics

The resignation creates another significant political development within Kwara’s APC, particularly because Mr Mustapha is a serving senator representing one of the state’s senatorial districts.

For voters and constituents, the immediate question will be which political platform the senator chooses next and whether his decision will trigger further defections or realignments among APC stakeholders in the state.

His departure also comes at a time when political actors across Nigeria are increasingly repositioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.