{
  "id": 3175311,
  "title": "After defection, Mustapha battles Gov AbdulRazaq for Kwara Central seat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/after-defection-mustapha-battles-gov-abdulrazaq-for-kwara-central-seat",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T02:23:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/after-defection-mustapha-battles-gov-abdulrazaq-for-kwara-central-seat/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The political landscape of Kwara Central Senatorial District is evolving following Senator Saliu Mustapha's defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This development has set the stage for a potentially intense contest between Senator Mustapha and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the latter being the APC candidate for the Senate seat in the 2027 election. Mustapha, who secured the PDP ticket through a substitution arrangement after announcing his resignation from the APC, faces a complex political scenario as he transitions to the opposition ranks.\n\nMustapha's defection is rooted in the internal power struggle that preceded the APC's 2027 nominations. His political acumen built during the 2023 Senate election under the APC, which he won with 109,823 votes, is now being harnessed in his new political alignment. However, this shift has been met with skepticism and disagreement within the party, leading to the formation of the G15 coalition of aggrieved aspirants opposing Governor AbdulRazaq.\n\nThe relationship between Mustapha and Governor AbdulRazaq, who completed his second term as governor in May, has deteriorated significantly. Mustapha had initially aimed to succeed AbdulRazaq as governor but lost out to the Speaker of the state’s Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu. Furthermore, the APC senatorial ticket for Kwara Central was awarded to Governor AbdulRazaq, intensifying the rift between the two.\n\nMustapha's decision to join the PDP is attributed to his participation in a \"rainbow coalition\" aimed at supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through influential opposition politicians like the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike, and former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki. Despite disavowing a document suggesting he agreed to serve only one term in the Senate, Mustapha argues that his initial arrangement was to pursue a governorship ambition, which was thwarted by the governorship route closing. The formation of the coalition of aggrieved members from the G15, TOP, and the APC elders' caucus indicates a broader discontent within the party, hinting at potential challenges ahead.",
  "summary": "The political battle for the Kwara Central Senatorial District is assuming a new dimension following Senator Saliu Mustapha’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Our correspondent reports that the decision has set up a potentially fierce contest between Senator Mustapha and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is the APC […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}