2027: PDP members decamp to APC in Kwara

Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Abdullateef Alakawa; a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Shittu Motunrayo; and other party executives and supporters while receiving the decampees on Sunday.

No fewer than 1,500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Alapa/Onire/Odegiwa Ward, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The decampees announced their decision to join the APC on Sunday during a ward meeting attended by the Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Abdullateef Alakawa; a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Shittu Motunrayo; and other party executives and supporters.

The new APC members said they left the PDP, led in the state by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, due to what they described as mistreatment of members, imposition of candidates and poor reward for loyalty.

They also said they were attracted to the APC by what they described as the party’s visible achievements and opportunities for members, particularly youths.

Addressing the decampees, Alakawa welcomed them to the APC, assuring them that they would be treated as members of the same political family.

He said, “Today, we are receiving no fewer than 1,500 members of the PDP from Alapa/Onire/Odegiwa Ward into the APC. Their decision to join us is a clear indication of their confidence in the APC and its programmes.

“There is no newcomer in the APC. Everyone is one, and we are all working towards a common goal. Those who perform well and occupy political positions are also leaders of the party.”

The LNRBDA chairman urged the new members to remain committed to the party and contribute to its growth at the grassroots.

Alakawa also commended the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for what he described as his performance in Asa Local Government Area.

“Governor AbdulRazaq has done well for the people of Asa, and the best way to reward his efforts is to support and vote for him in the forthcoming Kwara Central Senatorial District election,” he stated.

The lawmaker representing the area, Shittu, also joined other party leaders in welcoming the defectors into the APC and urged them to work with existing members for the development of the party.

The reception for the decampees underscored the APC’s efforts to expand its grassroots structure in the local government, as more members of the opposition party continue to announce their defection to the ruling party.

The latest defection comes ahead of the 2027 general elections and adds to the political realignment taking place across Kwara State as the major political parties intensify efforts to consolidate their grassroots support.