A media aide to former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, has dismissed claims by former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Alhaji Ladi Hassan, that Saraki had been his political leader for 25 years, describing the statement as evidence that Hassan benefited from the Saraki political structure throughout his career.

Abdulqadir, who serves as Press Officer on Local Matters in the Saraki Media Office, said Hassan only chose to distance himself from the political group after failing to secure the PDP governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Abdulqadir argued that Hassan remained loyal to Saraki while occupying several strategic political positions allegedly facilitated by the former governor.

“When Mr Hassan was appointed commissioner under the administration led by Dr Saraki, Saraki was his leader. When he was appointed Chief of Staff to then-Governor Saraki, Saraki was his leader. When he was appointed as Mandate Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a federal appointment influenced by Dr Saraki, he had no reason to leave the Saraki group,” he said.

The aide recalled that Hassan had previously exited the Saraki political camp after an unsuccessful governorship bid in 2018 but later returned following the intervention of party elders and community leaders.

“Based on the elders’ intervention, Mr Hassan returned to the Saraki political fold and has since enjoyed all the respect due to an elder. His decision to contest in the last governorship primaries against advice from other elders and members in the group was clearly a solo effort and his exit now is merely a repeat of the stunt he has pulled before,” Abdulqadir stated.

He further claimed that younger members of the political family would resist any future attempt by Hassan to rejoin the group if his current political move failed.

According to him, Hassan’s actions send the wrong message to younger politicians about loyalty and commitment in politics.

“For those of us, the younger ones, the wrong impression that Mr Hassan’s actions and statements are creating is that we in Kwara State are inconsistent and only stay somewhere when we are enjoying the benefits. This is unfortunate and not a good example for the younger generation,” he added.

Abdulqadir also accused Hassan of failing to contribute financially to PDP activities while he was a member of the party’s political structure.

“It is laughable that Mr Hassan can now afford to sponsor a press conference. This is a man who has never contributed a dime to help the party in his ward. When there was a call for party leaders to support party activities financially, Mr Hassan would always be missing in action,” he alleged.

Meanwhile, Hassan has denied allegations that he is working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that his participation in the ongoing political process is aimed at strengthening democratic values within the PDP.

Addressing journalists in Ilorin on Saturday, the PDP governorship candidate said his political aspirations should not be viewed as an act of rebellion against any individual or group within the party.

“My participation in the current political process should therefore not be interpreted as rebellion or hostility towards anyone. Rather, it reflects my commitment to ensuring that democratic values remain central to the future of our party,” Hassan said.

The former Commissioner for Health and ex-Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board said his over four decades of experience in both the private and public sectors had prepared him for the responsibilities of governing the state.

Unveiling his development agenda, Hassan pledged to tackle poverty, create jobs and promote inclusive governance for women and youths.

“We will fight to eradicate poverty, create productive employment and foster economic transformation that improves lives and promotes shared prosperity,” he said.

He maintained that the success of any government should be measured by the number of citizens lifted out of poverty rather than the volume of speeches delivered or projects commissioned.

According to him, the first phase of his administration would focus on welfare support for vulnerable groups, including widows, the elderly, persons living with disabilities and low-income households.

“We shall establish structured welfare and food support programmes aimed at assisting widows, the elderly, people living with disabilities, low-income households and the less privileged. We will also provide immediate welfare subsidies, including transportation support through initiatives such as electric buses,” he stated.

Hassan, however, stressed that welfare programmes alone would not solve poverty, noting that sustainable economic growth would come through investments in agriculture, infrastructure, technology, enterprise development and industrialisation.

“The long-term solution to poverty is productivity. The long-term solution to poverty is economic empowerment and development. It is about creating opportunities for citizens to earn sustainable incomes and improve their quality of life,” he added.