The governorship candidate of the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State, Hassan Oladimeji, has declared that former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, is no longer his political leader, amid deepening factional tensions within the party.
Mr Oladimeji made the statement on Saturday while reacting to his suspension by the Magaji Ngeri Ward leadership of the PDP and ongoing leadership disputes at both state and national levels.
He said he had formally aligned with the Turaki-led structure of the party, distancing himself from the faction associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
“I am no longer in saraki’s camp” — Oladimeji
Mr Oladimeji said his political loyalty had shifted, insisting that he now belongs to a different bloc within the opposition party.
“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,” he said.
“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,” Mr Oladimeji stated.
He further dismissed his suspension by the ward leadership, describing it as invalid.
“If I don’t belong to you, who are you suspending? So, the suspension is baseless, meaningless because you can’t suspend someone who isn’t a part of you,” he added.
“Saraki led me for 25 years, but not anymore”
Mr Oladimeji acknowledged the influence of former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on his political journey but insisted that their paths have now diverged.
“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 said.
He added that leadership alignment within the PDP had become factionalised, making it impossible for one leader to control multiple blocs.
PDP factional crisis deepens in Kwara
The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has continued to deepen, with rival factions led by Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed laying claim to the party’s national structure.
In Kwara State, the division has produced parallel governorship candidates and competing party executives, further complicating preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Mr Oladimeji is reportedly the governorship candidate of the Turaki-led faction, while another aspirant, Engr Bolakale Kawu, is recognised by the Saraki-aligned bloc.
The ward leadership in Magaji Ngeri had earlier suspended Mr Oladimeji over alleged anti-party activities, a move he dismissed as politically motivated and without legitimacy.
Party stakeholders say the internal rift reflects broader national struggles over control of party structures, with factions aligning around influential political figures.
The Kwara situation highlights the widening cracks within the opposition party as it attempts to reposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
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