Senator Saliu Mustapha Resigns from APC

Senator Saliu Mustapha, the Turaki of the Ilorin Emirate and lawmaker representing the Kwara Central Senatorial District, has formally resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The resignation was contained in a letter addressed to the Ward Chairman of the APC, Gambari Ward 1, Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State. Senator Mustapha, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, announced the resignation with immediate effect. In the letter, titled “Resignation of Membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he stated

“I hereby formally resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), effective immediately. This decision follows careful reflection and extensive consultations with my constituents and key stakeholders. I joined the APC as a founding member, committed to its ideals of good governance, unity and service to the people. However, recent developments within the APC in our State, particularly the leadership of the Party in Kwara State, have departed from the founding core principles of collective unity and internal democracy on which the APC was built.”

The senator further explained the principles that, in his view, should guide political leadership and stated his position on the party’s current leadership in Kwara State. He wrote:

“I believe political leadership must be anchored on integrity, competence, accountability and a sincere commitment to the collective interest of the people. The current leadership of the Party in Kwara State has fallen short of these standards, and this has eroded my confidence in them.”

Despite his exit from the APC, Senator Mustapha used the letter to reaffirm his commitment to his constituents and the country at large. He stated:

“I remain fully committed to serving the people of Kwara Central, Kwara State and Nigeria with integrity, dedication and in the best interest of humanity.”

The resignation letter was signed by Senator Saliu Mustapha, who identified himself by his traditional title, Turaki of Ilorin Emirate, alongside his position as a member of the National Assembly. The letter was addressed specifically to the Ward Chairman of the APC in Gambari Ward 1, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, indicating that the resignation was formally communicated through the party’s structure at the ward level.

Senator Mustapha described his decision as one that came after careful reflection and extensive consultations with his constituents and key stakeholders, rather than an abrupt move. He also traced his history with the party, noting that he joined the APC as a founding member committed to its original ideals of good governance, unity, and service to the people.

The letter did not disclose the senator’s next political direction following his exit from the APC, nor did it provide further details beyond the reasons stated for his resignation and his reaffirmed commitment to his constituents in Kwara Central Senatorial District, Kwara State, and Nigeria as a whole.