Offa Robbery: Kwara APC Accuses Saraki of ‘Rewriting History’, Reasserts Alleged Links to Convicted Gang

The Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused former Senate President Bukola Saraki of attempting to rewrite the history of the 2018 Offa bank robbery, insisting that evidence presented during the trial of the convicted armed robbers allegedly established links between the former governor and members of the gang.

The party also dismissed recent claims involving Saheed Popoola, describing his intervention in the controversy as an attempt to discredit the judicial outcome of the robbery case and advance political interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC’s position was contained in a statement delivered by its State Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Olawale Babatunde, at a press conference held on Monday, November 9, 2026, at the party’s state secretariat in Ilorin.

Babatunde expressed displeasure over what he described as an insensitive attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Saraki to revisit the circumstances surrounding the robbery during their political activities in Offa, noting that the incident claimed 33 lives and left lasting scars on the community.

He maintained that the convicted armed robbers had, during their statements and court proceedings, allegedly identified themselves as political associates of Saraki and made claims concerning the provision of weapons, vehicles and financial support for their activities.

The APC spokesman further cited the statement of Yusuf Abdulwahab, a former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed, which he said was tendered and admitted as evidence during the trial. According to him, the statement also allegedly linked Saraki to the convicted criminals.

Babatunde additionally claimed that a vehicle allegedly connected to the robbery was initially concealed at the Kwara Government House in Ilorin before being moved to the Ministry of Environment. He also pointed to the vehicle’s registration plate bearing the name ‘SARAKI’ and photographs showing the former governor with some of the convicted individuals as circumstances the party considered significant.

He further alleged that some of the suspects were arrested wearing wedding commemorative outfits associated with Saraki’s daughter’s wedding, adding that the individuals were known to the former governor and had accompanied him during a condolence visit to Offa following the robbery.

Addressing the controversy surrounding Saheed Popoola, the APC spokesperson insisted that the convictions were secured on the basis of evidence presented before the court and not on any statement made by Popoola. He argued that the alleged admissions of the convicted robbers themselves, rather than Popoola’s account, formed the basis of the party’s position on Saraki’s alleged connection to the incident.

Babatunde also questioned Popoola’s credibility, accusing him of making contradictory claims on an issue of grave public importance. He suggested that Popoola’s recent position was motivated by political loyalty, alleging that his desire to demonstrate allegiance to Saraki was connected to the PDP Senate ticket reportedly given to him.

The APC spokesman concluded by accusing Saraki of attempting to present a distorted account of the state’s political history, insisting that Kwara residents had not forgotten the security challenges and political violence that characterised the period of his leadership. He declared that the state would resist any attempt to return to what he described as the dark era of Saraki’s administration.

The APC consequently reaffirmed its opposition to what it termed efforts to rehabilitate Saraki’s political image through the Offa robbery controversy, declaring that Kwara would never return to the political circumstances it associated with his years in power.