By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Saliu Mustapha, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect, citing the departure of the party’s leadership in Kwara State from its founding principles of collective unity and internal democracy.
The lawmaker, who is also Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, conveyed his resignation in a letter dated Thursday, 14 August 2026, addressed to the Ward Chairman of the APC, Gambari Ward 1, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, and titled “Resignation of Membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
In the letter, Mustapha explained that the decision followed careful reflection and extensive consultations with his constituents and key stakeholders.
He disclosed that he joined the APC as a founding member, committed to its ideals of good governance, unity and service to the people, but noted that recent developments within the party in the state, particularly under its current leadership, had departed from the founding core principles on which the APC was built.
He stated that political leadership must be anchored on integrity, competence, accountability and a sincere commitment to the collective interest of the people, adding that the current leadership of the party in Kwara State had fallen short of these standards, a development he said had eroded his confidence in them.
Despite his exit from the party, the lawmaker assured that he remained fully committed to serving the people of Kwara Central, Kwara State and Nigeria at large with integrity, dedication and in the best interest of humanity.
In a separate public statement issued alongside the resignation letter and titled “Notice of Resignation as a Member of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Mustapha further explained that the decision was not one he took lightly, noting that it followed weeks of extensive consultations and engagements with relevant stakeholders, his supporters, constituents across Kwara Central Senatorial District, and well-meaning Kwarans.
He stated that as a politician, he had always believed that politics must be about people, principles and purpose, explaining that where the path of a political platform no longer sufficiently aligns with these convictions and the aspirations of the people he represents, the honourable thing to do is to chart a new course.
The lawmaker expressed his deepest gratitude to the leadership of the APC, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the relationships and experiences he had been afforded over the years within the party, while assuring his constituents, supporters, political associates and stakeholders in Kwara State and beyond that although his political platform may change, his principles, purpose and commitment to the people remain unchanged.
Mustapha, who bears the traditional title of Turaki of Ilorin Emirate, reaffirmed his steadfastness in serving the people of Kwara Central, Kwara State and Nigeria at large, despite his exit from the party.
