Saraki Camp, Ladi Hassan Trade Words Over Political Loyalty, PDP Future in Kwara

 

A fresh political controversy has emerged within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State as loyalists of former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and the party’s governorship candidate, Alhaji Ladi Hassan, exchanged sharp words over issues of political loyalty and the future direction of the party.

The disagreement followed comments made by Hassan during a recent press conference in Ilorin, where he spoke on his emergence as the PDP governorship candidate and dismissed allegations that he was working in the interest of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reacting to the remarks, Saraki’s Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, faulted Hassan’s claim that the former Senate President had been his political leader for about 25 years, describing the assertion as selective and misleading.

Abdulqadir maintained that Hassan remained a committed member of the Saraki political structure throughout the period he occupied several public offices, many of which, he said, were facilitated by the influence of the former governor.

“When Alhaji Ladi Hassan served as a commissioner in the Saraki administration, as Chief of Staff to Governor Saraki, and later as Mandate Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory, a position influenced by Dr. Saraki, he remained fully within the political family,” Abdulqadir stated.

According to him, Hassan only began distancing himself from the Saraki political structure after failing to secure the PDP governorship ticket in an earlier contest.

He further alleged that following his departure from the group, Hassan later sought reconciliation through respected party stakeholders and community leaders who appealed to Saraki to facilitate his return.

“His decision to contest the last governorship primaries against the advice of party elders was entirely his own. What we are witnessing now is merely a repeat of an earlier pattern,” Abdulqadir said.

The Saraki aide also accused Hassan of making limited contributions to the PDP over the years, claiming that despite occupying influential positions, he rarely provided financial support for party activities at the grassroots level.

“It is ironic that Mr. Hassan can now sponsor a press conference. This is someone who, according to records, hardly contributed financially to party programmes in his ward whenever support was required,” he added.

However, Hassan dismissed insinuations that his political activities were aimed at undermining the PDP or collaborating with the APC, insisting that his actions were motivated by a commitment to strengthening internal democracy within the party.

“My participation in the current political process should not be viewed as an act of rebellion or hostility towards anyone. It is a demonstration of my commitment to ensuring that democratic values remain at the heart of our party,” he said.

The PDP governorship candidate also unveiled aspects of his development agenda for Kwara State, promising robust measures to combat poverty, create jobs and promote inclusive governance.

According to him, his administration would prioritise economic empowerment, youth development and greater participation of women in governance.

“We will pursue policies aimed at reducing poverty, creating productive employment opportunities and driving economic transformation that improves lives and promotes shared prosperity,” Hassan stated.

He argued that the true measure of governance should be the number of lives positively impacted and opportunities created, rather than the volume of speeches delivered or projects commissioned.

Hassan also pledged to introduce targeted welfare and food support programmes for vulnerable groups, including widows, the elderly, persons living with disabilities and low-income households.

“No responsible government should stand by while its citizens suffer hunger when it has the capacity to provide relief and support,” he said.

While acknowledging the importance of social welfare interventions, Hassan said his long-term strategy for sustainable development would focus on agriculture, infrastructure, enterprise development, technology and industrialisation.

The exchange underscores growing political tensions within the Kwara PDP as stakeholders position themselves ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with competing factions seeking to shape the party’s narrative and direction in the years ahead.