Saraki backing Tinubu’s second term, says Kwara senator

Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly, has accused former Senate President Bukola Saraki of actively supporting President Bola Tinubu's campaign for a second term, despite Saraki's leadership of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State. Mustapha made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Friday, according to a report from The Punch. Mustapha, who recently left the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the PDP, emphasized that his switch should not be interpreted as opposition to Tinubu. When asked if his move signified alignment with Saraki, Mustapha confirmed that Saraki leads the PDP in Kwara but clarified that the former governor is not running for office in 2027. Instead, Saraki is reportedly backing the so-called "Rainbow Coalition," a grouping aimed at bolstering Tinubu's prospects in the upcoming presidential race. Mustapha compared Saraki’s stance to that of Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who remains a PDP member while serving under Tinubu’s government. This suggests that political alliances in Nigeria are becoming more flexible and pragmatic, especially as the 2027 election approaches. Mustapha noted that many figures from opposition parties are expressing support for Tinubu without necessarily abandoning their party affiliations. Mustapha attributed his defection to the PDP to a broader coalition effort involving several groups within Kwara State, including the G15, the Elders’ Caucus, the TOPS, and the Otoge Progressive movement. These groups reportedly engaged in extensive discussions with multiple political parties before choosing the PDP as their preferred platform for the 2027 elections. According to Mustapha, each member of these groups sees value in aligning with the PDP’s current candidates. The decision to switch allegiances came amid frustrations over how the APC handled its governorship nomination process. Mustapha criticized the lack of consultation with key stakeholders, particularly regarding the selection of Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, as the APC’s gubernatorial candidate. He denied claims that the selection was endorsed by the presidency, stating he was directly involved in the process and knew otherwise. Mustapha revealed that the governor had initially favored Ambassador Yahaya Seriki as the preferred candidate before Danladi emerged just days later. This abrupt change, he argued, prompted the G15 and other groups to seek an alternative political avenue. The senator also rejected the idea that the 2027 governorship election should be decided solely by zoning considerations, suggesting instead that merit and consensus should guide the process. The senator explicitly stated that the coalition’s primary target is Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, whom they accuse of sidelining key party stakeholders in the selection of Danladi. Mustapha insisted that the group’s focus is on challenging what they perceive as an emerging political dynasty in Kwara led by the governor, rather than opposing Tinubu at the national level. The situation highlights the evolving dynamics in Nigerian politics as the 2027 election draws closer. With shifting loyalties and new coalitions forming, the landscape appears increasingly unpredictable. Mustapha’s statements underscore the complexity of political realignments, where personal ambitions and regional interests often intersect with national aspirations. His remarks have sparked further debate about the role of party loyalty versus individual political goals in shaping the country’s future.