2027: Senator Saliu Mustapha quits APC after losing Kwara governorship ticket

2027: Senator Saliu Mustapha quits APC after losing Kwara governorship ticket

Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, following his unsuccessful bid for the party’s governorship ticket in Kwara State.

Mustapha announced his resignation in a letter dated Thursday, August 20, 2026, after weeks of consultations with political stakeholders, supporters, constituents and other prominent Kwarans.

The senator said his decision followed a careful assessment of developments within the APC and their implications for his political future and representation of the people of Kwara Central.

“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,” Mustapha said.

He explained that his decision was guided by his belief that political leadership must remain focused on the interests and aspirations of the people.

“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 added.

Mustapha also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and other APC leaders for the relationships, experiences and opportunities he gained during his years in the ruling party.

The resignation comes months after Mustapha entered the 2027 Kwara governorship race on the platform of the APC. He purchased the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms in May 2026 and joined the contest to succeed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

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However, he lost the APC governorship primary to the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, who emerged as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.

The outcome contributed to growing disagreements within the Kwara APC, with Mustapha and other aspirants subsequently expressing dissatisfaction with the conduct and outcome of the party’s primary elections.

Mustapha’s political future also became uncertain amid reports concerning the Kwara Central senatorial seat. There had been speculation that Governor AbdulRazaq could seek the APC ticket for the district in 2027, potentially complicating Mustapha’s bid to return to the Senate under the ruling party.

The senator had previously clarified that he did not participate in the APC senatorial primary because he had entered the race for the governorship ticket.

His resignation has now renewed speculation that he could move to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and seek its ticket to contest the Kwara Central senatorial seat in 2027.

Reports had indicated that the PDP and former Senate President Bukola Saraki were interested in bringing Mustapha into the opposition camp, with discussions reportedly centred on the possibility of offering him the Kwara Central senatorial ticket.

If Mustapha eventually joins the PDP and secures the party’s ticket, the development could set up a major Kwara Central Senate contest in 2027, particularly if AbdulRazaq also contests for the seat on the APC platform.

Mustapha, however, did not disclose his next political platform in his resignation statement.

Instead, he assured his supporters and constituents that his decision to leave the APC would not affect his commitment to them.

“While my political platform may change, my principles, my purpose and my commitment to the people remain unchanged,” he said.

Mustapha’s decision marks a significant shift from his earlier position on reports of a possible defection from the APC.

In January 2025, he dismissed speculation that he was planning to leave the party, describing himself as a “staunch and loyal” member of the APC.

He also highlighted his role in the formation of the ruling party, noting that he was among those who signed the 2013 agreement that brought together the legacy parties that formed the APC.

Mustapha has represented Kwara Central in the Senate since 2023 and has remained an influential figure within the state’s political landscape.

His departure comes at a critical stage in preparations for the 2027 elections, with political parties already repositioning ahead of the presidential, governorship and legislative contests.

The senator’s next move is therefore expected to attract significant attention, particularly in Kwara Central, where his possible defection to the PDP could alter the political calculations ahead of the 2027 Senate election.

For the APC, Mustapha’s resignation represents another challenge as the party seeks to manage internal disagreements and consolidate its political structure in Kwara State ahead of the 2027 elections.

2027: Senator Saliu Mustapha quits APC after losing Kwara governorship ticket