Saraki no longer my leader, says Kwara PDP gov candidate

Hassan Oladimeji, the governorship candidate for the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, has publicly declared that former Senate President Bukola Saraki is no longer his political leader. Oladimeji asserted his allegiance has shifted to a different camp within the opposition party, signaling a deepening rift.

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First of all, on the issue of faction, it’s a well-known fact that there are two factions in PDP, the Wike-led and the Turaki-led factions.

Oladimeji's declaration comes in response to his recent suspension by the Magaji Ngeri Ward leadership of the PDP. He clarified his position within the party's national and state-level factional crisis, stating he has formally parted ways with the faction associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. "By my political association, I've been a member of the Wike faction. But I have since left them. I am no longer part of them. So, I belong to the Turaki camp," he explained.

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By my political association, I’ve been a member of the Wike faction. But I have since left them. I am no longer part of them. So, I belong to the Turaki camp.

The governorship candidate dismissed his suspension as "baseless and meaningless," arguing that a faction he has left cannot exercise authority over him. "If I don’t belong to you, who are you suspending? So, the suspension is baseless, meaningless because you can’t suspend someone who isn’t a part of you," Hassan stated. He further emphasized his active role within the Turaki-led interim National Working Committee of the PDP, citing his prominent participation during the adoption of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the presidential candidate.

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If I don’t belong to you, who are you suspending? So, the suspension is baseless, meaningless because you can’t suspend someone who isn’t a part of you.

Reflecting on the internal divisions, Oladimeji noted that politics thrives on dialogue and compromise. He lamented the refusal of some leaders to engage in discussions that could have averted the current crisis, attributing it to "ego" or "being pompous." He expressed hope for future reconciliation, stating, "When there are rooms for reconciliation, you’ll sit down and discuss." He recalled advising party leadership to handle issues amicably before the situation escalated.

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I am a member of the Turaki-led interim National Working Committee of PDP. If you look at the day former President Goodluck Jonathan was adopted as the presidential candidate, you’ll see that I featured prominently. So, how will you suspend someone who has left you? It doesn’t make sense.