The Zakari Exit and the Burden of Saboteurs

Lawal Akanbi Sharafadeen

Interestingly, Hon. Muhammad Zakari’s recent exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State did not come as a surprise to many of us. Truth is, A friend had long advised both Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and Zakari himself: if your spirit no longer aligns with the soul of this party, it is better to take a bow and go. What we have witnessed in Kwara over the past year is a significant shift driven largely by youth energy, grassroots mobilization, and an unwavering commitment to reviving the party’s values. That movement cannot and will not be held hostage by men whose best political days are behind them.

The Kwara PDP is going through its own moment of reckoning. At the centre of it is a generational renewal. And those who find that uncomfortable are either quietly slipping out or attempting to sabotage the current momentum from within.
Let it be clear: that era is gone.

The PDP in Kwara, especially under the leadership and mentorship of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has taken a firm turn toward reinvention. The just concluded membership registration is a continuation of that effort.

Now, what remains is consolidation. And for that to happen, the party must not be burdened with passengers who don’t know where the bus is headed or worse, those determined to puncture the tires while pretending to be part of the journey. If you have nothing to offer your ward, community, or constituency, you’re not just a neutral presence; you’re a liability. Your exit should be treated as a blessing, not a betrayal.

Let’s be honest: Kwara PDP cannot afford another cycle of internal sabotage of sitting members pretending to be loyal while undermining structures behind closed doors. Whether you once held a lofty office or not, if your loyalty is wavering, you should respectfully walk away. That’s the honourable thing to do. Because to remain under the Saraki-led structure only to work against the interest of the people is to challenge not just the party, but the hope of thousands who have staked their future on its revival.

Destiny is in our hands. We won’t allow people who have benefited from the party and politics many of whom are in their late 30s and 40s to block the path for a younger generation that is ready to take the bull by the horns. Recent sentiment on the streets shows that people are angry, not just at the ruling party, but also at these so-called “senior brothers and sisters” who delivered next to nothing to their communities during their time. Many of these people who are leaving today were indifferent during the last local government elections, yet the party still held its ground and proved its strength at the polling units. That tells us something: they are replaceable and absolutely dispensable. Those who still linger in the party with no intention to build should find their way out. At the same time, we salute the elders who have given the youth space to thrive and build; their responsible leadership will be rewarded.

To the youth of the party: this is not the time to retreat. You have built too much to abandon the project now. Political contest is not war, it is a competitive marketplace of ideas, character, and service. Support whomever you will, but do so without blackmail, discrediting others, or petty quarrels. The focus must remain the same: reviving the PDP dynasty in Kwara, not for nostalgia’s sake, but for the promise of good governance it once symbolized. Let the deadweight fall off.

Lawal Akanbi Sharafadeen writes from Kwara State Capital