In 1999, Mohammed Lawal became the Governor of Kwara state with the support of Late 'Sola Saraki. Their relationship got sour. Gov. Lawal got Saraki expelled from the Party, APP. In 2002, the PDP state chairman, Ahmed Pategi got assassinated. His death paved the way for Sola Saraki to take over the structure of the PDP in the state. His son, Bukola Saraki eventually became the party's flag bearer in a controversial Governorship primary where the original party chieftains/members were pushed.