A former lawmaker and key figure in the Otoge movement, Hon. Saheed Popoola, has officially defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of incompetence and misrule that, he said, have deepened insecurity in Kwara State.

Speaking on Sunday at a massive rally in Offa, Popoola said his defection marked “a defining moment” in his political journey, motivated by conviction and the desire to return to a party that prioritizes the people.

“We have never experienced banditry in Kwara since the state was created in 1967. Hundreds of lives have been lost under this administration. Banditry was in Niger State for years but never entered Kwara because our leaders then knew what governance meant,” he said.

“The current Governor doesn’t understand governance. He is self-centered and disconnected from the people, which is why Kwara is in this sorry state,” Popoola declared.

The former Offa lawmaker lamented that the ideals of the Otoge struggle that brought the APC to power in 2019 had been betrayed, saying unity and inclusivity were replaced with personal interests.

“After Otoge, the governor abandoned everything we stood for. We fought for a better Kwara, but those who benefited most from the movement derailed its purpose,” he stated.

Popoola, who once served in the Kwara State House of Assembly, said his decision to join the PDP came after a period of reflection on the direction of the APC.

“I was among the first to contest under APC in 2013. We built the party on justice and progress, but along the way, it lost its soul. Loyalty is now to individuals, not the people,” he said.

According to him, joining the PDP was not an act of desperation but a conscious decision rooted in fairness, justice, and equity. “The PDP remains peaceful and is the only viable alternative for Nigerians,” he added.

He further noted that political alliances are evolving in Nigeria, citing the partnership between President Bola Tinubu and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. “If Tinubu and Wike can work together, then being in the same party with Saraki shouldn’t be strange,” he said, assuring that the PDP would reclaim power in Kwara come 2027.

“The PDP will take over governance in Kwara State in 2027,” Popoola declared to loud cheers from supporters.

Welcoming him, the PDP State Chairman, Hon. Issa Bawa, described Popoola’s return as a “homecoming,” saying it would strengthen the party’s base ahead of the next general elections.

“What we’ve seen today shows that the PDP is regaining its momentum. Offa will rise again and be great again under the PDP,” Bawa said.

He also conveyed a message from former Senate President Bukola Saraki, urging residents to compare PDP’s past achievements with APC’s record. “The difference is clear,” he quoted Saraki as saying.

A former PDP State Chairman and ex-lawmaker, Engr. Kola Shittu, praised Popoola’s influence, saying his return would attract more supporters to the party. “Hon. Popoola is a respected leader across Nigeria. We’re glad he’s back, and we know he’ll play a key role in PDP’s 2027 victory,” Shittu said.

However, the Kwara APC Publicity Secretary, Mr. Waheed Babatunde, dismissed the defection as insignificant. “The party won’t miss Saheed Popoola. He has been inactive for a long time and only made his exit official today,” Babatunde said.

“Offa remains a progressive stronghold. The people will continue to support Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the APC to retain power in 2027,” he added.