PDP authorises former Senate President Bukola Saraki to engage aggrieved APC leaders as internal divisions widen ahead of the 2027 elections

Former Senate President Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has been authorised by the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party to begin discussions with aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress’ G15 bloc, a move that could reshape the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The decision came as divisions within the ruling APC widened following allegations by the G15 coalition that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was undermining internal democracy and attempting to influence the party’s succession process before the next governorship election.

The development has intensified speculation about possible political realignments in Kwara, where the APC ended Saraki’s long-standing political dominance through the “Otoge” movement in the 2019 elections.

At a press conference in Ilorin on Thursday, leaders of the coalition, operating under the banner of Oto Ge Progressives, accused the governor of sidelining party members and attempting to impose candidates for elective offices.

The coalition brought together prominent APC figures, including Senators Saliu Mustapha, Yahaya Oloriegbe, Sodiq Umar and Lola Ashiru, alongside former Attorney-General Salman Jawondo (SAN), Chief Dele Belgore (SAN), party elders, youth and women leaders, and stakeholders from all 16 local government areas of the state.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, former Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe appealed to the APC’s national leadership to intervene before the dispute further weakened the party.

“Unless the present arrangement is reconsidered and the widespread dissatisfaction among party members genuinely addressed, the party’s unity and electoral success can no longer be assured,” Oloriegbe said.

The former lawmaker argued that opposition parties were already positioning themselves to benefit from the growing discontent within the APC.

Oloriegbe alleged that the governor was pursuing a succession agenda that contradicted the consultative principles upon which the party was founded in Kwara.

According to the coalition, dissatisfaction had grown because many party leaders and members felt excluded from major decisions and believed candidates for elective offices were being predetermined.

The group also alleged that some of its members had been subjected to inducements, intimidation and political pressure for refusing to support the governor’s alleged succession plans.

“We reject the notion that the future leadership of our State should be decided solely by one individual. Kwara deserves a credible, transparent and democratic process, not one designed merely to endorse a preferred candidate through coercion, manipulation or exclusion,” Oloriegbe added.

The coalition maintained that it would continue to pursue its campaign through lawful and democratic means while remaining open to legitimate political options capable of protecting the interests of its members.

Meanwhile, the Kwara PDP concluded a two-day stakeholders’ meeting held between August 5 and 6 at Saraki’s residence in the Government Reserved Area, Ilorin, with a resolution empowering the former Senate President to engage members of the APC’s G15 bloc and other political parties.

The communiqué, jointly signed by PDP Chairman Adamu Bawa and State Secretary Abdulrahman Kayode, stated that stakeholders unanimously backed the initiative as part of efforts to strengthen the opposition before the 2027 elections.

“The stakeholders mandated Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki to proceed with engagements with members of the Kwara APC’s G15 and other political parties, to further strengthen the PDP and expand its base ahead of future elections,” the communiqué stated.

Participants at the meeting also urged party leaders, aspirants and supporters to place the collective interest of the PDP above personal ambitions, stressing that unity would be essential if members of the APC’s G15 eventually joined the opposition party.

The stakeholders further passed a vote of confidence in Saraki, citing his leadership experience and commitment to rebuilding the PDP in Kwara.

Adding to the day’s political intrigue, Saraki and members of the Oto Ge Progressives were seen together during a chance encounter at Ilorin International Airport.

A video of the meeting circulated widely on social media, fuelling fresh speculation about possible negotiations between the former Senate President and disaffected APC leaders.

Neither Saraki nor the APC faction publicly disclosed the nature of the airport interaction.

The latest developments reflect growing political manoeuvring in Kwara as parties reposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

While the G15 insists its campaign is aimed at restoring internal democracy within the APC rather than pursuing personal ambitions, the PDP appears determined to capitalise on the ruling party’s internal divisions.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has not publicly responded to the allegations made by the Oto Ge Progressives at the time of filing this report.

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The unfolding Saraki Kwara APC Crisis underscores how internal party disputes and opposition outreach could become defining features of Kwara’s political contest as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.