Kwara APC replies Saraki in Offa robbery controversy

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Kwara South Senatorial District, Saheed Popoola, over the controversy surrounding the Offa bank robbery in which 33 people died in 2018.

The party’s reaction followed Mr Popoola’s claim that he played a leading role in politicising the robbery incident and associating Mr Saraki with it during the 2019 political struggle in Kwara State.

Mr Popoola, a former APC chieftain, reportedly confessed at the palace of the Olofa of Offa during Mr Saraki’s political visit to the community, saying the issue was deliberately revived to settle political scores.

Four people were convicted over the robbery in 2024.

Mr Saraki also described his ongoing robbery trial as political persecution after the state government applied to drop most of the 20 charges it filed.

However, addressing journalists at the APC secretariat in Ilorin, State Publicity Secretary Abdulwaheed Babatunde described Mr Popoola’s comments as insensitive, insisting that statements and evidence presented during the trial raised questions about Mr Saraki’s alleged links to the incident.

Mr Babatunde cited statements reportedly made by convicted gang members, as well as an alleged statement by Yusuf Abdulwahab, a former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed, which he said was admitted as evidence during the investigation and court proceedings.

He also referred to photographs, wedding memorabilia and a vehicle allegedly connected to the robbery as what the party considered evidence of associations between Mr Saraki and some of the convicted suspects.

The APC spokesman maintained that Popoola’s admission about the politicisation of the incident did not, in itself, invalidate evidence presented in the criminal proceedings involving the convicted robbers.

“The purport of Popoola’s statement is not lost on the people of Offa and Kwara State. A man who shamelessly admitted to lying on a matter of such magnitude and consequence has told the people that he lacks any credibility and is not worthy of their trust,” Mr Babatunde said.

He accused Mr Saraki of attempting to present what he described as a distorted account of the incident to the national audience, adding that residents of Kwara had their own experiences of the political and security climate during his administration.

Mr Babatunde urged residents, particularly those in Offa and other parts of Kwara South, to consider integrity and public trust when choosing their representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also expressed confidence in the APC’s continued support in Offa, describing the community as politically conscious and recalling its contribution to the emergence of the APC-led government in the state.

The APC Deputy Chairman, Abdullahi Samari, also described Mr Popoola’s comments as unfortunate and insensitive, particularly to families still living with the consequences of the robbery.

Mr Samari noted that the 33 victims left behind children, spouses, parents and other relatives, warning politicians against turning the tragedy into an instrument for electoral advantage.

“I think it is rather inhuman and disturbing that an experienced politician who is looking for votes can play with people’s lives as it is now. The 33 people who lost their lives still have family members living. Some of them have children, wives and parents. How would they feel with this kind of statement coming around this time?” he asked.

He also urged security agencies to consider appropriate action over Mr Popoola’s comments, describing them as reckless.

The APC’s reaction comes amid renewed legal and political developments surrounding the robbery.

A Kwara State High Court convicted five principal suspects in September 2024, and the Court of Appeal upheld their convictions and sentences in January 2026.

The criminal proceedings involving Saraki, Ahmed and two former aides are separate from the case in which the five armed robbers were convicted.

On Monday, the Kwara State Government had applied to amend the 20-count charge against four defendants, seeking to reduce it to four counts. The court has yet to determine the application.

Mr Saraki has consistently denied involvement in the robbery.

Reacting to the latest amendment, his media office described the withdrawal of 18 counts as evidence that the original allegations were unfounded, while accusing the state government of abusing its prosecutorial powers.

The former Senate President said his lawyers would challenge the remaining allegations in court.

The renewed controversy has added another dimension to political exchanges in Kwara as parties and their candidates intensify activities for the 2027 general elections.