Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing developments within the party and concerns about its direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
Mustapha communicated his resignation in a letter dated August 14, 2026, addressed to the APC chairman of Gambari Ward 1 in Ilorin East Local Government Area. The resignation was made public on Friday, August 21.
His departure comes weeks after his unsuccessful bid for the APC governorship ticket in Kwara State. The party eventually nominated Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as its candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
Mustapha, who is also known as the Turaki of Ilorin Emirate, was one of the prominent figures within the Kwara APC and had been involved in internal disagreements over the party’s direction and the process that produced its governorship candidate.
In his resignation notice, the senator said his decision followed consultations with political stakeholders, supporters, constituents and other Kwarans.
He described the decision as one he did not take lightly and said his political choices had always been guided by his commitment to the interests of the people he represents.
His exit is expected to deepen the political crisis within the Kwara APC as parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections.
The development is particularly significant because Mustapha remains a sitting senator and a major political figure in Kwara Central.