EXCLUSIVE: Bolaji Abdullahi moves to join APC, lobbies for ministerial slot

... The Fayemi, Wike connection

Bolaji Abdullahi, a former Sports and Youth Development Minister and prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is reportedly making clandestine moves to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and serve in President Bola Tinubu's cabinet, according to exclusive sources.

Abdullahi recently contested as the PDP's flag bearer in the 2023 Kwara Central senatorial election but was defeated by his APC counterpart, Mustapha Saliu, who secured over 100,000 votes compared to Abdullahi's 60,000.

Reliable sources familiar with Abdullahi's plans confirmed to our medium that, he formulated this strategy following his loss in the February 25 elections. Since then, there have been rumors of his secret consultations with relevant APC stakeholders, particularly at the national level.

Abdullahi is said to be relying on his strong relationship with former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi and former Governor of Rivers State Nyemson Wike. Wike has been reported to be recruiting dissidents from the PDP to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, allegedly with the aim of weakening the opposition PDP ahead of the next election in 2027.

A highly placed source familiar with the situation stated, "He will soon defect to the APC. It is no longer a matter of 'if,' it is a matter of 'when.'"

The same source added, "Oga is no longer interested in the Saraki Dynasty. He believes the dynasty is already spent and has outlived its usefulness in Kwara state politics. No matter how much stakeholders like him tried, the dynasty is gone for good."

Another source within the Kwara State government house, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, mentioned that Abdullahi is attempting to secure one of the two ministerial slots reportedly reserved for Kwara State through his close friend Fayemi, who is considered one of the influential power brokers in President Tinubu's circle.

However, it remains to be seen how Abdullahi will navigate his strained relationship with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the current Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum.

Several sources have indicated that Abdullahi has been working to mend ties with Abdulrazaq since the PDP's defeat in the 2023 general elections. "He knows it is the Governor who will propose names, and Bolaji has been trying to win the Governor's favor by presenting himself as a technocrat. He has also sought Fayemi's assistance in speaking to the Governor," stated one source.

While the government source couldn't confirm if Abdullahi's defection was part of these efforts, they mentioned that it is possible for the former minister to announce his defection before the end of June.

It has been observed that Abdullahi, who has remained relatively silent since the new administration took office, recently congratulated Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on his appointment as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum. Sources suggest that this congratulatory message was one of Abdullahi's ways to ingratiate himself back into the APC.

In a statement on Tuesday, Abdullahi described the Governor's appointment as a matter of pride for all Kwarans, regardless of political party affiliation. "I congratulate His Excellency, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, on his recent appointment as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum. This achievement should be a source of pride for all Kwarans, both young and old. We wish him success in his tenure as Governor of Kwara State and NGF Chairman," Abdullahi remarked.

It would also be recalled that Abdullahi had, in an interview granted The Sun newspaper, showered praises and encomiums on the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and offered to support the government in any capacity he deemed fit.

A political Desperado cum prostitute. Himself and Solomon Lalong were the worst former Ministers of sports Nigeria ever produced

He doesn’t want to die politically like Saraki his boss.

A new sheriff is in town

Ismael97:
A political Desperado cum prostitute. Himself and Solomon Lalong were the worst former Ministers of sports Nigeria ever produced

Lol

When last did Nigeria win the Nation's Cup before 2013 ?

Since 2013 how many times have we won it ?

Bolaji Abdullahi is the definition of competence.

Don't just come on public spaces and saying trash.