Saraki Tackles PDP Factional Guber Hopeful, Candidate Reacts, Discloses Plan

A political rift has emerged within Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, with Alhaji Ladi Hassan, a factional governorship hopeful, publicly breaking ties with his long-time political mentor, former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki. Hassan stated his ambition is rooted in principle and a desire to strengthen democratic governance within the PDP.

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Alhaji Hassan only chose to distance himself from the political group after failing to secure the PDP governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections where he participated and signed consensus arrangement for the emergence of Engineer Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu as the PDP gubernatorial candidate for the next year general election in the state.

However, Saraki's political camp, through his Press Officer on Local Affairs, Mallam Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, dismissed Hassan's claims. They asserted that Hassan's departure is motivated by personal ambition, specifically his failure to secure the PDP governorship ticket for the upcoming elections. The statement highlighted that Hassan had benefited significantly from Saraki's political structure throughout his career, holding various positions allegedly facilitated by Saraki.

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When Mr Hassan was appointed commissioner under my administration administration, I was his leader then. When he was appointed as Chief of Staff to then Governor Saraki, Saraki was his leader. When he was appointed as Mandate Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a federal appointment influenced by Dr Saraki, he had no reason to leave the Saraki group

Saraki's camp pointed to Hassan's past actions, noting he previously left the Saraki political fold after an unsuccessful governorship bid in 2018, only to return after intervention from party elders. They characterized his current exit as a repeat of a previous "stunt." The statement detailed Hassan's alleged loyalty to Saraki while holding positions such as commissioner and Chief of Staff, and even a federal appointment influenced by Saraki.

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Based on the elders’ intervention, Alhaji Hassan returned to the Saraki political fold and has since enjoyed all the respect due to an elder. His decision to contest in the last governorship primaries against advice from other elders and members in the group was clearly a solo effort and his exit now is merely a repeat of the stunt he has pulled before

Conversely, Hassan has refuted allegations of working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Addressing journalists, he insisted his participation in the current political process is aimed at fostering democratic values within the PDP, not acting in rebellion against any individual or group. "My participation in the current political process should therefore not be interpreted as rebellion or hostility towards anyone. Rather, it reflects my commitment to ensuring that democratic values remain central to the future of our party," Hassan declared.

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My participation in the current political process should therefore not be interpreted as rebellion or hostility towards anyone. Rather, it reflects my commitment to ensuring that democratic values remain central to the future of our party