Popoola said the misunderstanding flows from his attendance and comments made at the palace of Olofa, Mufutau Gbadamosi, when Saraki paid the monarch a thank you visit following the death of his father Olusola Saraki.

Popoola said in a statement issued in Offa on Monday night: "I wish to debunk in strongest terms claims that I have defected to the PDP or submitted myself to the political leadership of former Governor Bukola Saraki.

"The insinuation understandably flew from the fact that I honoured the call of the Offa monarch to join him in hosting Saraki who came on a thank you visit to Offa. While there at the Olofa palace I indeed acknowledged the political strength of the late Oloye Olusola Saraki, that I got some appointments through him and that he left behind a politician of note in his son who incidentally is the leader of PDP in Kwara.

"Indeed. I share the call by the Olofa that Offa should not be isolated in development, regardless of it being in the hands of the opposition. Whatever comments attributed to me amounted to sheer political joke/banter. But at no time did I in truth declare allegiance to Bukola Saraki or the PDP - and I have no reason to do so - as I remain a bona fide member and chieftain of the opposition ACN on which platform I was elected. I hope this would put paid to whatever mischief being done. Offa remains an ACN-controlled local government and would remain so until the people feel otherwise."