By Anifa Oluwapelumi
Senator Saliu Mustapha, a member of the Kwara G-15 political group and representative of Kwara Central Senatorial District, has formally resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.
Mustapha announced his resignation in a statement, saying the decision followed weeks of consultations and engagements with political stakeholders, supporters, constituents across Kwara Central and other well-meaning Kwarans.
The resignation comes amid growing political tension within the Kwara APC, particularly following the party's governorship primary, after which activities and consultations among members of the G-15 have intensified.
The primary, which produced the present Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the party's governorship candidate, has continued to shape political alignments within the ruling party in the state.
While Mustapha did not directly mention the governorship primary in his resignation statement, his decision adds a significant new dimension to the internal disagreements and realignments that have emerged within the Kwara APC.
Explaining his decision, the senator said he had carefully considered recent developments within the party before choosing to chart what he described as a new political course.
“This is not a decision I have taken lightly,” Mustapha said, adding that it followed extensive consultations with stakeholders, supporters, constituents and other concerned Kwarans.
The senator said his political philosophy had always been centred on people, principles and purpose, stressing that political platforms should reflect the aspirations of the people they represent.
“As a politician, I have always believed that politics must be about people, principles and purpose,” he said.
According to him, when the direction of a political platform no longer sufficiently aligns with those convictions and the aspirations of the people, the responsible choice is to seek another path.
Mustapha, however, expressed appreciation to the APC leadership, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the relationships and experiences he gained during his time in the party.
He assured his constituents and supporters that leaving the APC would not change his commitment to them.
“To my constituents, supporters, political associates and stakeholders in Kwara State and beyond, I assure you that while my political platform may change, my principles, my purpose and my commitment to the people remain unchanged,” he said.
He further pledged to remain committed to serving the people of Kwara Central, Kwara State and Nigeria.
The development is expected to further fuel speculation about the political future of the G-15, a group whose activities have become increasingly noticeable in Kwara politics following the APC governorship primary.
Mustapha's resignation also comes at a time when political calculations are already intensifying ahead of the 2027 general elections, with emerging alliances and disagreements expected to reshape the state's political landscape.
For now, the senator has not disclosed the political platform he intends to join or whether the G-15 will collectively adopt a new political direction.
His announcement, however, makes clear that his political journey outside the APC has begun, even as the consequences of the resignation for the ruling party and the wider Kwara political equation continue to unfold.
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