I Remain Staunch, Loyal Founding Member of APC, Says Senator Mustapha

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District of Kwara State at the National Assembly, Senator Saliu Mustapha has denied the rumours being peddled in certain quarters of the state over his purported defection to another political party ahead of 2027 elections. Mustapha however said that he still remains a staunch and loyal founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mustapha, Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture also said that, “As one of the privileged signatories to the historic February 2013 agreement that collapsed the three legacy parties to form the APC, his contributions to the creation, growth, and continued success of the party are well documented and highly regarded by stakeholders and members of the APC”. The peddling of rumours of Senator Mustapha’s defection to another political party might not be unconnected with his alleged move to contest the governorship position of the state in 2027. The development, it was gathered, has allegedly caused disaffection between him and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq whose interest is on the incumbent speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, to succeed him. Following this situation, series of fake news have been peddling around in certain quarters of the state over the purported defection of Senator Mustapha to another party. However, a statement issued in Ilorin on Monday by Senator Mustapha, which was signed by his Media Adviser, Mr. Nasif Solagberu, said that, “Our attention has been drawn to a series of fabricated reports circulating on social media, alleging a purported endorsement and defection involving Senator Saliu Mustapha, the Turaki of Ilorin Emirate and Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District. “As a matter of principle and policy, we do not dignify fake news or its peddlers with rebuttals. “This explains our dignified silence over the past weeks as various baseless claims, fabricated by the usual suspects, are being circulated with reckless abandon across the social media. “The originators and sponsors of these falsehoods are well known, as are the motives and desperation driving their actions. “However, what they fail to understand is that leadership and ambition are determined solely by the will of God Almighty, not by smear campaigns. “Senator Mustapha remains steadfast in his mandate at the National Assembly, which is to deliver quality representation to the good people of Kwara Central Senatorial District. He is fully focused on this responsibility and refuses to be distracted by cheap and unfounded propaganda”. The statement added, “For the sake of clarity, it is worth reiterating that Senator Saliu Mustapha remains a staunch and loyal founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). “As one of the privileged signatories to the historic February 2013 agreement that collapsed the three legacy parties to form the APC, his contributions to the creation, growth, and continued success of the party are well documented and highly regarded by stakeholders and members. “We therefore urge the public to disregard this fake news and treat it as the product of the imagination of mischief makers who have nothing constructive to offer”.

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