KWARA, Nigeria — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Kwara South, Saheed Popoola, has admitted playing a leading role in the political campaign that linked former Senate President Bukola Saraki to the 2018 Offa bank robbery, saying the allegations were used to settle political scores.
Popoola, a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, said he regretted joining forces with the APC during the O To Ge movement, which ended Saraki’s political dominance in the state in 2019.
He made the revelation on Sunday at the palace of the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, during Saraki’s political tour of Kwara South.
According to Daily Trust, Popoola acknowledged that he was among those who helped revive and politicise the Offa robbery incident in an attempt to damage Saraki’s political standing.
“I was a leading member of the APC then that started the politicisation and revival of the issue of Offa robbery just to get to Saraki. But after we finished and won, it was me that was being persecuted,” he said.
He explained that political actors had used songs, slogans and public campaigns to associate the former governor with the deadly robbery, insisting that their actions were driven by political interests.
“This includes the use of songs and slogans to associate Saraki with the incident just because of politics. However, God has intervened and the reality is that Saraki is back in Kwara,” Popoola added.
The Offa robbery, which occurred on April 5, 2018, left more than 25 people dead, including police officers, and remains one of the most traumatic security incidents in the history of the community.
Popoola challenged politicians who continued to invoke the tragedy for political purposes to demonstrate genuine concern for the victims and their families, alleging that many had failed to provide meaningful assistance to those affected.
Defending Saraki against suggestions that he could have sponsored the attack for financial reasons, Popoola argued that the former Senate President had no financial motivation to be involved.
“All the money in the entire banks in Offa, Ilorin, Patigi and the entire Kwara State put together is not enough for Saraki to spend in three days,” he declared.
His comments come amid renewed attention to the legal proceedings surrounding the robbery.
In a related development, the Kwara State Government has amended its charges against Saraki and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, dropping 18 of the original 20 counts, including the armed-robbery-related allegations, while introducing two new counts.
The amended four-count charge reportedly includes allegations of conspiracy to belong to a gang of thieves and concealment of a vehicle allegedly used for an illegal purpose. The allegations remain subject to determination by the court.
Meanwhile, Saraki, addressing the Olofa during the visit, recalled his involvement in the monarch’s emergence in 2010, saying he supported the kingmakers’ preferred candidate despite opposition and petitions from other quarters.
He said he had resisted attempts to influence him against the monarch’s selection and maintained his position in support of the community’s choice.
“I recall 2010 when the chiefs and kingmakers decided they wanted you. I accepted you as the preferred candidate against petitions and complaints from many quarters,” Saraki said.
He added that he expected the traditional ruler and the people of Offa to acknowledge his past support.
“Some people attempted to influence me into rejecting you, but I refused. I stood my ground. Now is the time I seek your support,” he said.
The former Senate President subsequently appealed to the monarch and Offa residents to support the PDP in the 2027 general elections, promising that the party would continue to contribute to the development of the community.
