The All Progressives Congress in Kwara State has suffered a fresh setback following the resignation of 12 executive members of Gambari Ward 1 in Ilorin East Local Government Area.
The development came shortly after the defection of the senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha, from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among those who resigned were the ward chairman, Aliyu Abdulhakeem, and secretary, Abdulwaheed Adanla, who separately notified the APC chairman in Ilorin East, Habib Ajibola, of their decisions on Friday.
Ten other members of the ward executive later submitted a joint resignation letter, formally announcing their withdrawal from both their party positions and APC membership.
In the letter, the executives said their decision was based on what they considered to be the best interest of their ward.
“We, the concerned executive members of Gambari Ward 1, hereby formally resign from our posts as well as our membership of the All Progressives Congress,” they stated.
The officials also expressed appreciation to the party for providing them with the opportunity to serve.
Those who signed the joint resignation include the Treasurer, Olayinka Odunlami; Auditor-General, Kelani Kola Saheed; Legal Adviser, Bube Lukman; and Assistant Auditor-General, Adebayo Kazeem.
Others are Assistant Treasurer, Muhammed Yunus Idowu; Assistant Youth Leader, Ganiyu Taiye Ofide; Assistant Women Leader, Alhaja Iyalanki; Assistant Secretary, Muhammed Abdullahi O.; Assistant Financial Secretary, Olabowu Tosho; and Assistant Organising Secretary, Umar Abubakar Hajj.
The former executives said they intended to move with Mustapha into the PDP and support what they described as an emerging “rainbow coalition” ahead of the 2027 elections.
In his resignation letter, Abdulhakeem said he had decided to leave the APC after personal reflection.
“After careful consideration and due reflection, I have decided to step down from my membership of the party and my position as Ward Chairman for personal reasons best known to me,” he stated.
He thanked APC members, party leaders, elders and other stakeholders for their support throughout his tenure.
Similarly, Adanla announced his resignation as ward secretary and APC member, saying his decision followed careful consideration.
He said he had worked during his tenure to promote the party’s interests and uphold its constitution.
“During my tenure, I did my best to uphold the constitution of the party and to advance the interests of APC in Gambari Ward 1,” Adanla said.
He also pledged to return party documents, records, stamps and other properties in his possession to the appropriate authorities.
The resignations followed Mustapha’s decision to quit the APC. The senator announced his resignation from the party in a letter dated August 14 and addressed to the chairman of Gambari Ward 1.
Mustapha said his decision followed consultations with constituents, supporters and other stakeholders, citing developments within the Kwara APC and concerns about the party’s leadership in the state.
He subsequently joined the PDP and secured the party’s ticket to contest the Kwara Central senatorial seat in the 2027 election.
The exit of the 12 ward executives represents an immediate fallout of the senator’s defection and could signal further movement within the political structure of Kwara Central as the 2027 elections draw closer.
It remains uncertain whether more APC members and supporters in the senatorial district will follow Mustapha to the PDP.
