Kwara APC members defect to PDP

All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party Logos. Photo: Parties

The All Progressives Congress in Kwara State has suffered another setback ahead of the 2027 elections following the defection of hundreds of its members in Offa Local Government Area to the Peoples Democratic Party.

The defectors were drawn from different wards in the local government, including Shawo Central Ward, the political base of the senator representing Kwara South, Lola Ashiru, and the governor’s political ward.

Arewa PUNCH reports that the development comes as the PDP intensifies efforts to rebuild its grassroots structures and regain political influence across the state ahead of the next general elections.

Speaking during the defection in Offa on Tuesday, the leader of the Shawo Central Ward defectors, Ezekiel Adepoju, said the decision to join the PDP was driven by the group’s confidence in the leadership of former Senate President and PDP chieftain, Bukola Saraki.

Adepoju said the defectors believe that the opposition party offered a better platform to pursue the political interests of Offa and Kwara State.

“We are convinced that the PDP remains the better platform for the political future of Offa and Kwara State,” he said.

He said the group was also encouraged by what it described as the direction and leadership being provided by Saraki within the opposition party.

The defection was followed by a solidarity rally by women in Shawo Central Ward, who reportedly turned out in large numbers to celebrate the development.

The women moved through parts of the community, singing traditional songs and expressing their support for Saraki and the PDP.

They also pledged to mobilise voters across the local government for the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Arewa PUNCH reports that the development is considered politically significant as Shawo Central Ward is the home ward of Ashiru, who currently represents Kwara South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

In a separate development, another group of APC members from the governor’s political ward also announced their defection to the PDP.

The group, led by Taofeek Mohammed, said its decision was informed by what it described as disappointment with the APC administration and concerns over the direction of governance in the state.

Mohammed said the defection from the governor’s political base should be viewed as a significant political development ahead of the 2027 elections.

“For a governor who has repeatedly presented himself as a leader with strong grassroots support, the continued loss of hundreds of supporters from his own ward raises serious questions about the performance of his administration and his connection with the people,” he said.

He argued that the strength of a political party should be determined by the confidence of voters rather than government publicity or social media activities.

“Political strength is not measured by government propaganda or social media claims. It is measured by the confidence of the people,” Mohammed said.

He added that the movement of hundreds of APC members into the opposition could not be dismissed as an ordinary political realignment.

“When hundreds of people leave a ruling party in the governor’s own backyard and choose the opposition, it becomes difficult to dismiss such a development as ordinary political movement,” he said.

The defectors pledged to mobilise more residents to join the PDP and work for the party’s success in the 2027 elections.