Kwara Assemblyman Saba Gideon Abandons APC Over Internal Democracy Concerns

The lawmaker representing Edu State Constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Honourable Saba Gideon, has officially tendered his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Gideon's decision, confirmed to The PUNCH via a telephone call from Ilorin on Thursday, stems from profound concerns regarding the party's internal democracy, fairness, and inclusiveness.

His resignation was formalized in a letter dated August 19, 2026, which was addressed to the APC Ward Chairman of Tsaragi Ward 3 in Edu Local Government Area. Honourable Gideon, who also chairs the House Committee on Livestock, indicated that his move came after thorough consultations with his constituents and various stakeholders.

In his resignation correspondence, Gideon stated unequivocally, “I hereby formally resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress, effective immediately.” He further explained that recent developments within the party had compelled him to take this step after what he described as careful reflection. “This decision follows careful reflection and consultations with my constituents and key stakeholders. Recent developments within the party, particularly concerning internal democracy, fairness and inclusiveness, have led me to take this decision,” Gideon affirmed.

Despite his departure from the APC, the legislator reassured the public of his unwavering commitment to his constituents. He declared, “I remain committed to serving the people of Edu State Constituency, Kwara State, and Nigeria with integrity, dedication, and accountability.” Gideon also used the opportunity to express his gratitude to the APC and its members for the support and opportunities he received during his time with the party, adding, “Thank you for the opportunity to serve and for the support received during my membership of the party.”

As of the time of filing this report, Honourable Gideon had not disclosed his subsequent political affiliation.

This resignation follows a notable period of controversy for Gideon, occurring just months after he faced a three-month suspension by the Kwara State House of Assembly. The suspension, enacted on December 18, 2025, arose from accusations of contempt and breach of legislative privilege, specifically for allegedly recording a confidential meeting and subsequently sharing the audio with an unauthorized individual.

The motion for his suspension was initiated by the House Leader, Abdulkadir Magaji, who referenced the House rules on privileges and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017. Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, in reading the House resolution at the time, emphasized that the unauthorized recording and circulation of the meeting were capable of bringing the legislative institution into disrepute. “Hon. Gideon’s conduct amounted to contempt and a breach of privilege,” the Speaker stated. The Assembly had also mandated Gideon to submit a written apology within the duration of his three-month suspension.

However, Gideon challenged the Assembly's action in court. In February 2026, the Kwara State High Court nullified the suspension, declaring it unconstitutional, unlawful, and of no legal effect. The court determined that the suspension, carried out through a motion without notice, violated the lawmaker’s rights and was not supported by the relevant provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and the Assembly’s own rules. This judicial outcome marked a significant chapter in the dispute, setting Gideon on a collision course with the Assembly’s leadership long before his eventual decision to resign from the APC.