A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Saheed Popoola, has admitted playing a leading role in the campaign that linked former Senate President Bukola Saraki to the 2018 Offa bank robbery.
Popoola said the allegations were politically motivated and used to settle scores with the former governor.
He expressed regret over his involvement in the APC-led O To Ge movement, which culminated in the removal of Saraki’s political structure from power in Kwara State in 2019.
Popoola, who is now the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Kwara South, made the disclosure at the palace of the Olofa of Offa during Saraki’s political tour of Kwara South on Sunday.
He acknowledged that some individuals deliberately associated Saraki with the robbery for political reasons.
The 2018 robbery, which claimed more than 25 lives, including policemen, became a major political issue in Kwara State.
The state government is prosecuting Saraki over alleged sponsorship of the attack, an allegation he has consistently denied.
Popoola, who was among the prominent figures in the APC-led O To Ge movement, said their opposition to Saraki was driven by political interests and misinformation rather than the facts surrounding the robbery.
He said, “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 added that songs and political slogans were used to associate Saraki with the incident.
“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,” he said.
Popoola also challenged individuals outside Offa who continued to politicise the tragedy to demonstrate genuine concern for the victims and their families.
He alleged that many of those making political statements about the incident had neither reached out to the affected families nor provided meaningful support.
Dismissing suggestions that Saraki could have been motivated by financial considerations to sponsor the robbery, Popoola said the former Senate President had sufficient wealth.
“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 said.
He maintained that Saraki’s return to Offa was not merely about political calculations but also reflected his concern for the people.
In his remarks, Saraki recalled his role in the emergence of the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, in 2010.
He said he supported the traditional ruler’s selection despite petitions and opposition from different quarters.
According to him, his decision was based on his acceptance of the community’s preferred candidate.
“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.
“Some people attempted to influence me into rejecting you, but I refused. I stood my ground. Now is the time I seek your support.”
The former Senate President appealed to the monarch and residents of Offa to support the PDP in the 2027 general elections, assuring them that the party would not disappoint the community.
