Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central, formally left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday, August 21, 2026. The defection has drawn an immediate reaction from former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani, who expressed sadness over the move while drawing parallels to his own past experience with a governor.
Shehu Sani's Reaction to the Defection
In a post on his verified X account @ShehuSani, Sani said he was not happy to hear of Mustapha's departure but refrained from questioning the decision, citing his own history of conflict with a governor. He wrote: "I'm not happy to hear that Senator Salihu Mustapha from Kwara has left the APC for the PDP; but who am I to question his decision when I know what happens whenever a Senator goes into a conflict with his Governor."
Sani added: "He is just experiencing what I have been through in the past. I wish him success in his chosen path. Posterity will vindicate him if he is right." The former senator's comments came on the same day as the defection, and he stopped short of criticising Mustapha's choice.
Fallout with Governor Abdulrazak
Reactions to Sani's post pointed to Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the central figure behind Mustapha's exit. Several social media users suggested the governor blocked Mustapha's return to the Senate by denying him a free run at the APC primaries. One user, @hankarimu, wrote: "He was treated badly by Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazak in the APC, and he didn't get the right amount of protection from Abuja. He's left with no option!"
@tobbiematthew added: "There is a purported letter going around that he signed 1 tenure with the Governor. That's why he didn't contest for senate primaries in the APC. There are many intrigues behind the scenes, but as it stands, the election for the Kwara central senatorial district is between the Saradauna (Abdulrahman) Vs Turaki (Saliu) – both are top-ranking Ilorin chiefs."
@Holaryeankarcb put it bluntly: "AA snatched his return ticket and also jeopardised his governorship ambition for 2027." Not all observers were sympathetic. @StudentYahaya challenged the narrative: "That time you insisted on an automatic ticket, and your governor said no, there must be primaries, you fear losing at the primaries, and you run to PRP, thinking you are popular, but you were woefully rejected by the people. What is the fault of the governor then?"
Mixed Reactions and Political Implications
@abu_gado95766 questioned the wisdom of the switch, writing: "He chooses to abandon his party, which brought him more political importance, to a place where he would be seen as just a green pastures migrant!" @Exploits919 was more direct in challenging Sani's conditional phrasing: "If he is right? You deny him by not conducting a proper primary election and also took the senatorial ticket from him. He should have been smiling to prove he is right."
Mustapha's defection sets up a highly anticipated contest in Kwara Central ahead of the 2027 general elections. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Senator Mustapha left the APC for the PDP, insisting he has not abandoned President Tinubu personally. Mustapha said the G-15 and the elder caucus feel alienated by how Kwara Governor AbdulRazaq managed the APC in the state. The defection adds fresh pressure on APC leadership in Kwara ahead of the 2027 general elections.
