A prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State has publicly stated that former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, faces no obstacles should he choose to return to the ruling party. This declaration comes amidst swirling rumours about Saraki's political allegiance ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections.
PDP Leaders Challenge Allegations, Urge Focus on 2027
The political discourse was ignited by an allegation from Professor Olarenwaju Sulaiman, a former minister and director-general of the Nigerian Institute of Democracy and Legislative Studies. Sulaiman claimed that Saraki holds membership in the APC in Abuja while simultaneously acting as a leader for the Peoples Democratic Party in his home state of Kwara.
In swift reaction, key PDP figures in Kwara have challenged this claim. Mallam Ibrahim Olayinka Otukoko, the state PDP director of planning and strategy, and Alhaji Isiaka Owolabi, the Kwara Central senatorial chairman of the party, jointly addressed journalists in Ilorin. They demanded concrete evidence from Sulaiman and firmly asserted that "Saraki remains a committed and recognised leader of the PDP in Kwara, nationally and beyond."
They advised party members across the state to disregard distractions and concentrate their efforts on mobilising support at the grassroots level in preparation for the 2027 polls.
APC Opens Its Doors: "He Is a Founding Member"
Weighing in on the controversy, APC chieftain Ambassador Femi Abodunrin spoke to journalists in Offa on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Abodunrin took a welcoming stance, emphasising that Saraki has the freedom to rejoin the APC at any level, national or state.
"Nobody can stop him from rejoining the party," Abodunrin stated unequivocally. He reminded the public that Saraki is a founding member of the APC and recounted how the former Senate President was "brutally chased out" of the party despite his significant contributions.
"If people are now insinuating that he is on his way back to his roots, to the house he helped to build, then he should hurry and make it quick. Nobody can stop him from rejoining the party," he added. Abodunrin further noted that many of the current prominent figures in the APC met Saraki within the party's ranks, underscoring his foundational role.
Commendation for Security Efforts and Wabara's Denial
During the same engagement, Ambassador Abodunrin shifted focus to security matters, commending both the federal government and the Kwara state government. He praised the institutionalisation of the Forest Guards initiative, designed to curb the activities of non-state actors in forested areas. He urged authorities to prioritise the welfare and proper equipment of the newly recruited guards to ensure the programme's success.
In a related political development, Adolphus Wabara, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, has forcefully refuted media reports suggesting he defected to the African Democratic Congress. The 77-year-old statesman described the reports as "planted mischievous media reports" and "fake and misleading social media reports." He urged PDP faithful and the general public to disregard the claims, which emerged following social media speculation linking him to an event involving former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Peter Obi in Enugu State.
The interplay of these statements from major political actors highlights the intense behind-the-scenes manoeuvring and alliance-building as Nigeria's political landscape begins to solidify ahead of the 2027 elections.
