The governorship candidate of the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Hassan Oladimeji, has declared that former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is no longer his political leader, saying he has realigned within a different bloc of the opposition party.
Oladimeji made the statement on Saturday while reacting to his suspension by the Magaji Ngeri Ward leadership of the PDP, as internal disagreements continue to deepen both in Kwara State and at the national level.
He explained that he had broken away from the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and had since pitched his support with the Turaki-led structure, which he described as the legitimate leadership of the party.
According to him, the PDP is currently divided into two major blocs.
“There are two factions in PDP — the Wike-led and the Turaki-led groups,” he said, adding that his political loyalty had shifted from the former to the latter.
Oladimeji dismissed his suspension by the ward leadership, describing it as invalid on the grounds that the group that announced it no longer had authority over him.
“If I don’t belong to you, who are you suspending? The suspension is meaningless,” he said.
He further insisted that he remains part of the Turaki-led interim National Working Committee of the PDP, claiming active involvement in national-level party activities, including events linked to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s endorsement process.
On reconciliation within the party, he said dialogue had been missing in the current crisis, blaming unresolved ego clashes among leaders for the widening divisions.
“Politics is about interest and continuous negotiation. If leaders had sat down to talk, we wouldn’t have reached this level,” he stated.
Oladimeji also rejected claims that he was working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting his political activities are open and not covert.
“I am not working for APC. If I make a move, I do it openly,” he said.
Addressing his long-standing political relationship with Saraki, he acknowledged their 25-year association but stressed that it had now ended politically.
“Yes, Saraki has been my leader for 25 years, but for now, I am not working for him,” he said.
He also clarified that Saraki is aligned with a different factional bloc, noting that leadership claims within the PDP differ across the competing camps.
The comments come amid his recent suspension by the Magaji Ngeri Ward of the PDP in Ilorin West Local Government Area over alleged anti-party activities and failure to respond to a disciplinary query.
In a letter signed by ward officials, the party accused him of ignoring an invitation from a disciplinary committee, a move it interpreted as misconduct warranting suspension.
The development shows the ongoing crisis within the PDP, which has split into rival national factions led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and Abdulrahman Mohammed, both laying claim to the party’s leadership structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
The division has produced parallel governorship candidates and competing party structures in Kwara State, with Oladimeji aligned to the Turaki bloc while another faction recognises Engr. Bolakale Kawu as its candidate.