Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A former chairman of Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, Dauda Lata, has resigned his membership from the All Progressives Congress, dealing a fresh blow to the ruling party's fragile hold on the North-Central state and underscoring the growing discontent over worsening insecurity and internal party dysfunction. Lata, who also served a term in the Kwara State House of Assembly, announced his resignation in a letter addressed to the APC chairman of Lade Ward III on Saturday, August 22, 2026, saying the decision took immediate effect. His departure comes at a time of escalating political turmoil in Kwara, where the ruling party has been hit by a wave of defections and resignations amid deepening internal disagreements and dissatisfaction among its members and stakeholders. Lata's resignation is particularly significant because of his political base in Patigi, one of the local government areas in Kwara North, a region that has in recent times faced growing security concerns.
In his resignation letter, the former council chairman said his decision followed extensive consultations with political leaders, associates, supporters and other stakeholders across Patigi, Kwara North and Kwara State. He said the decision was informed by his assessment of the political environment and the aspirations of the people he had represented over the years. Lata cited "worsening insecurity in his constituency and dissatisfaction with developments within the ruling party" as the primary reasons for his exit. He added that his resignation, which takes immediate effect, was reached after a careful review of the political situation in the state, particularly developments within the APC, as well as the aspirations and expectations of the people he had served. The former lawmaker said his decision was not taken hastily but followed "careful reflection, broad consultations and a thorough assessment" of the prevailing political circumstances and the expectations of his constituents.
Lata's resignation is the latest in a series of high-profile defections that have exposed the deep cracks within the Kwara APC, raising fundamental questions about the party's ability to maintain unity and cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections. His departure came only days after the resignation of the senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha, from the APC following a prolonged internal crisis within the party in the state. Since Mustapha's departure, several APC stakeholders, party executives and members across Kwara State have also announced their resignations, further deepening concerns over the strength and unity of the ruling party ahead of future political contests. Many of those who have left the APC have alleged exclusion, unfair treatment and dissatisfaction with the manner in which the affairs of the party have been managed, suggesting that the internal disagreements that have troubled the Kwara chapter of the ruling party are yet to abate.
The former council chairman's decision to cite "worsening insecurity" as a reason for his resignation adds a new and troubling dimension to the growing list of grievances being expressed by members and stakeholders leaving the ruling party. Kwara North, which comprises the local government areas of Baruten, Kaiama, Edu, Patigi and Moro, has in recent months become a hotspot for banditry, kidnapping and communal violence, with many communities deserted and residents forced to flee their ancestral homes. In June 2026, stakeholders from Kwara North under the aegis of the Kwara North Development Commission warned that worsening insecurity threatened the APC's 2027 prospects in the region. Just days before Lata's resignation, bandits attacked Wodata Rumallan, also known as Gidan Panu, in Edu Local Government Area, leaving two persons missing in the second attack recorded within 24 hours in the troubled local government. The frequency and boldness of these attacks have left residents living in constant fear, with many questioning the effectiveness of security agencies and the commitment of the government to protect vulnerable communities.
Lata's resignation is a significant blow to the APC in Kwara State, where the party has dominated since 2019 but now faces a serious internal challenge that threatens to fracture its support base. The former council chairman, who previously served as chairman of Patigi LGA and as a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, has been a prominent figure in Kwara North politics for years. His departure from the ruling party could trigger further realignments in the region, particularly given the growing dissatisfaction among APC members in Kwara North over insecurity and what they perceive as the government's failure to address their security concerns. Lata's decision to resign from the APC comes amid widening disagreements within the party over the 2027 succession process and the outcome of the governorship primary, which produced Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu as the party's candidate and triggered one of the most serious internal disputes in the Kwara APC since the party came to power in the state in 2019.
In his resignation letter, Lata said his resignation marked the beginning of a new direction in his political career, although he did not disclose the political party or platform he intends to join. He thanked the APC for the opportunities and relationships he enjoyed during his time in the party and expressed appreciation to the party's leaders, members and associates who worked with him throughout his years in the APC. The former council chairman extended his appreciation to community leaders, youths, women and supporters who, he said, had remained committed to his political journey. He urged his supporters to remain peaceful and united as consultations over his political future continue.
As the political landscape in Kwara State continues to shift, the wave of defections and resignations from the APC is likely to have significant implications for the party's electoral prospects in 2027. With the departure of a sitting senator, a former local government chairman and several party executives, the ruling party is facing a crisis of confidence that could undermine its ability to retain control of the state. For the people of Kwara North, the resignation of Dauda Lata from the APC is not just a political development; it is a reflection of their growing frustration with the government's failure to address the security challenges that have turned their communities into theatres of bloodshed and fear. As Lata begins a new chapter in his political career, the question on everyone's lips is: how many more leaders must leave the APC before the party takes the concerns of its members and the people of Kwara State seriously?
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