Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central in the National Assembly, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), weeks after losing the party’s ticket to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State. The senator’s resignation was contained in a letter dated August 14, 2026, addressed to the APC chairman of Gambari Ward 1 in Ilorin East Local Government Area and made public on Friday.
Mustapha said he reached the decision after consultations with constituents, supporters, political associates, party stakeholders and other residents of Kwara.
He cited what he described as a departure by the APC’s leadership in Kwara from the principles of unity and internal democracy that originally attracted him to the party.
The resignation represents a significant development in Kwara politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly because Mustapha remains a serving senator and was one of the prominent contenders for the APC governorship ticket.
In his resignation letter, Mustapha said recent developments within the Kwara APC had weakened his confidence in the party’s state leadership.
He argued that political leadership should be guided by integrity, competence, accountability and the interests of the electorate.
Mustapha said his decision followed extensive consultations and was not made hastily. He also stressed that leaving the APC would not diminish his commitment to his constituents or public service.
The senator’s explanation points to an internal political disagreement rather than a routine change of party affiliation.
Key issues surrounding his exit include:
- His unsuccessful bid for the APC governorship ticket.
- The emergence of Yakubu Danladi-Salihu as the party’s 2027 candidate.
- The uncertainty surrounding Mustapha’s political future in Kwara Central.
- His criticism of the direction of the APC’s state leadership.
- Growing realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
Mustapha’s resignation comes after his unsuccessful attempt to secure the APC’s nomination for governor.
He had entered the 2027 governorship race and formally submitted his expression-of-interest and nomination forms in May. The party eventually chose Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu as its candidate.
The outcome created a new political dilemma for Mustapha because his future within the party’s electoral structure also became uncertain.
Rather than return to the Senate race under the APC, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq emerged as the party’s candidate for Kwara Central. Reports said the development effectively closed the route for Mustapha to seek another Senate term on the APC platform.
The combination of the failed governorship bid and loss of the senatorial ticket intensified questions about his next political move.
Mustapha’s resignation follows days of speculation that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was attempting to bring him into its fold.
The Guardian reported earlier in August that PDP stakeholders were considering offering Mustapha the party’s Kwara Central senatorial ticket for 2027. The report linked the discussions to political activity involving former Senate President Bukola Saraki and a group of dissatisfied APC politicians in the state.
The PUNCH had also reported that Mustapha was considering his options and that a possible PDP move could set up a direct contest with AbdulRazaq in Kwara Central. However, the PDP state leadership denied that reports about a reserved ticket represented the party’s official position.
Mustapha himself has not announced a new political party following his APC resignation.
That leaves his next step open as political negotiations intensify ahead of 2027.
The senator’s departure could have consequences beyond his personal political future.
Mustapha has a substantial political network in Kwara and was previously regarded as one of the major contenders for the APC governorship ticket. His exit could therefore affect efforts to consolidate the ruling party’s structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
Attention is also likely to turn to other APC politicians who were affected by the party’s primary elections and subsequent ticket allocations.
The Sun reported that Senators Oyelola Ashiru and Sadiq Umar were among politicians whose political futures became uncertain after failing to secure the governorship nomination or their desired senatorial return tickets.
Whether they remain with the APC or pursue alternative platforms could become an important factor in the state’s 2027 political calculations.
Despite his criticism of the APC’s Kwara leadership, Mustapha expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the party’s national leadership for the relationships and experience he gained during his years in the APC.
He also assured his supporters that his decision to leave the party would not affect his commitment to Kwara Central, Kwara State or Nigeria.
For now, the senator’s position on Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid remains unclear. The resignation letter did not announce a new party or provide details of any immediate political alliance.
Saliu Mustapha’s exit adds another layer to the political realignment taking place in Kwara ahead of the 2027 elections.
The immediate focus will be on whether he joins the PDP, forms or supports another political arrangement, or negotiates a different role within the state’s opposition movement.
For the APC, the priority will be containing the fallout and maintaining cohesion among influential politicians and their supporters.
For Mustapha, the next decision could determine whether his political network remains a force within the ruling party’s structure or becomes part of a broader opposition coalition in Kwara.
