••• Says Saraki’s Leadership Incomparable
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Kwara South, Prince Saheed Olamilekan Popoola, has declared that the ongoing crisis rocking the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vindicated his long-standing position against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Popoola made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in his hometown, Offa.
According to him, when he started confronting the Governor over breach of agreement and perceived selfishness, many thought he was wrong.
“When I started fighting him on breach of agreement and what I perceived as selfishness, many people thought I was wrong. I saw what they didn’t see a long time ago. The developments between 2023 and now have vindicated my position that the Kwara Governor lacks the leadership requirements in managing people,” Popoola said.
He described the Governor as authoritarian, running a one-man government despite being an accidental beneficiary of the Otoge tsunami.
Popoola recalled that the Governor has made every effort to dislodge all major actors and beneficiaries of the Otoge movement, adding that the emergence of the G15 group has further vindicated his position that the Governor has no understanding of governance and human management.
Speaking further, Popoola clarified that he began his political career under the leadership of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki through Alhaji Tajudeen Aro, when he was nominated as campaign coordinator for Saraki’s election in Offa.
He noted that it is normal for disagreements to occur between leaders and followers, adding that he has since come to understand that Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki remains an asset to Nigeria.
“My relationship with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has confirmed to me that Dr. Saraki is far better than the Governor who has remained bitter towards everyone,” he said.
Speaking on insecurity in Kwara South, Popoola recalled that he raised the alarm sometime in 2024 over the influx of bandits into the region, but accused the Governor of adopting a redundant approach that worsened the situation.
He lamented that the slow response has led to many deaths, including kings of major towns in Kwara South.
Popoola appealed to the people of Kwara South to choose him as the next Senator, arguing that competence should play a major role in representation. He stressed that if elected, he would be a Senator of unity among the three major blocs of Yoruba extraction in the region.