Former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has criticised the governorship ambition of his former Chief of Staff, Ladi Hassan, describing it as being driven by personal ambition rather than principle.
The development follows comments by Hassan, a factional governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State, who recently declared that Saraki was no longer his political leader and pledged to promote democratic governance within the party.
In a statement issued in Ilorin through his Press Officer on Local Affairs, Mallam Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, Saraki said Hassan had been part of his political structure for over two decades and had benefited significantly from opportunities provided through the political platform.
According to Saraki, Hassan only distanced himself from the political group after failing to secure the PDP governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
He noted that Hassan participated in and endorsed a consensus arrangement that produced Engineer Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu as the party’s governorship candidate.
Saraki argued that throughout his political career, Hassan remained loyal to the political structure while occupying several key positions facilitated by it.
The former Senate President cited Hassan’s appointments as commissioner, Chief of Staff during his tenure as governor, and later as Mandate Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory, maintaining that those opportunities were made possible through the political network he led.
Saraki also recalled that Hassan had previously left the political fold after an unsuccessful governorship bid in 2018 but later returned following interventions by party elders and community leaders.
According to him, Hassan’s latest departure mirrors a similar move made years earlier after political disagreements.
However, Hassan rejected suggestions that his actions were motivated by personal grievances or that he was working in the interest of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Saturday, the PDP governorship hopeful said his involvement in the ongoing political process was aimed at strengthening internal democracy within the party.
“My participation in the current political process should therefore not be interpreted as rebellion or hostility towards anyone. Rather, it reflects my commitment to ensuring that democratic values remain central to the future of our party,” Hassan stated.
He maintained that his political aspirations were rooted in principles of inclusiveness, transparency and democratic participation, dismissing allegations of disloyalty to the PDP.
The exchange highlights growing tensions within the PDP in Kwara State as party stakeholders continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
