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Popoola Adekeye Saheed is a Nigerian politician from Kwara. They have contested 1 election (1 loss) across 1 party. Most recent: 2023 House of Representative Elections as Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate.
Political Career
Biography
Saheed Adekeye Olalekan Popoola (born 17 January 1971) is a Nigerian politician and a builder. He is a member of the 8th Kwara State House of Assembly and 9th Kwara State House of Assembly, representing the Ojomu/Balogun Constituency. He previously served as executive chairman of the Offa within the Kwara State of Nigeria.
Early life
He was born in Obatiwajoye compound in Offa on 17 January 1971. He earned his bachelor's degree from Obafemi Awolowo University in Political Science and attended Delar College of Education, Idoosi, Ekiti State to earn his National Certificate of Education.
Career
Popoola served as Commissioner for Youth and Sports between 2008 and 2011 under Governor Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.
Popoola started his political career as executive chairman of Offa Local Government Kwara State Nigeria, between 2011 and 2013.
He was elected to the Kwara House of Assembly (7th and 8th Assembly Legislature) between 2011 and 2019. He joined the All Progressive Congress (APC) before switching to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
On 28 March 2022, the Kwara State House of Assembly member declared Popoola's seat vacant due to his defection to SDP from APC, the Party for whom he won the seat. It was speculated that Popoola was charged with antiparty activities due to his relationship with former Senate President Bukola Saraki before his official switch to SDP.
In 2023, he was SDP nominee for Federal House of Representatives representing the Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency. He lost to Hom Tijani Kayode Ismail of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Party Positions
Policy positions from Social Democratic Party (SDP)'s manifesto.
Agriculture
Will provide state subsidies for farmers and peasants, reposition agricultural support programs, and encourage private foreign investment in agribusiness to boost food security.
Anti-corruption
Strengthen the independence and accountability of the judiciary by improving remuneration, working conditions, upgrading facilities, and expediting trials to deter corruption.
Economy & Trade
Nigeria commits to advocating for non-reciprocal trade status under WTO and addressing developmental issues from the Doha Ministerial, aiming to reform World Bank/IMF policies to better serve Third World countries.
Education
The SDP will design educational programs in the tech, edtech, and agricultural sectors with active Diaspora involvement, including allowing Diaspora voting in Nigerian elections.
Energy
Will eliminate federal government monopoly on power supply and devolve responsibilities to states and the private sector over five years, aiming for a significant expansion of private sector involvement beyond existing Independent Power Projects (IPPs).
Enterprise grant support
Will restructure CBN’s entrepreneurial program to cover all six geopolitical zones and extend micro-finance support for youth-led businesses under a skills acquisition program.
Environment & Climate
Commits to stopping gas flaring within two years as a specific environmental policy.
Foreign Policy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be restructured to improve foreign policy capabilities by enforcing language skills for diplomats and maintaining a 60:40 ratio between career and non-career diplomats.
Governance & Reform
The SDP pledges to ensure community participation in Niger Delta development programs, drawing on existing reports like NDDC and Ledum Mittee Report, aiming for holistic region-wide growth within four years.
Infrastructure
Committed to rapid improvement of critical infrastructure like electricity, petroleum products, water supply, and access roads to reduce production costs and enhance competitiveness.
Reliefs and scholarships
Will develop effective mortgage institutions offering long-term loans to homebuyers at low interest rates
Security & Defense
Overhaul the Nigeria Police Force in training, orientation, and practices to adopt international best practices for modern policing
Follow the 2027 race
Who declares, who drops out, who switches party: sourced, not speculation.
Other Candidates in Kwara
Sources
Bio, State of Origin: Wikipedia ↗