More members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Alanamu Ward, Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors, reportedly supporters of Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central Senatorial District, were drawn from different polling units across the ward.
They formally joined the PDP on Saturday during a rally held at the party’s Alanamu Ward secretariat in Ilorin, where they were received by party leaders and other stakeholders.
The development follows Senator Mustapha’s resignation from the APC and subsequent defection to the PDP in August. Mustapha, who had contested the APC governorship primary won by Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, said his decision followed consultations with supporters, constituents and political stakeholders.
He also cited developments within the Kwara APC and the conduct of the party’s leadership as factors behind his departure.
Mustapha has since secured the PDP ticket to contest the Kwara Central senatorial election in 2027.
Defectors cite loyalty to Mustapha
Speaking on behalf of the new PDP members, their leader, AbdulRazaq Adio, said their decision was primarily driven by their loyalty to Mustapha.
Adio said the group would continue to support the senator regardless of the political platform on which he contested.
He also cited the influence of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and what he described as the direction of the PDP in Kwara as additional factors behind the decision.
Adio pledged that the new members would work with other PDP supporters to strengthen the party’s grassroots organisation and support its candidates in the 2027 elections.
Receiving the defectors, the PDP chairman in Alanamu Ward, Abdulgafar Alawo, described their arrival as a significant addition to the party’s structure.
He assured the new members that they would be given opportunities to participate in party activities and urged them to contribute actively to the organisation rather than merely joining ahead of the elections.
More defections reshape Kwara politics
The latest movement is part of a broader wave of political realignment in Kwara ahead of the 2027 elections.
In September, more than 2,000 APC members in Adewole Ward, also in Ilorin West Local Government Area, reportedly defected to the PDP. The defectors were also identified as supporters of Senator Mustapha and said they were following him after his move to the opposition party.
Earlier, members of the APC in Shawo Central Ward in Offa Local Government Area also announced their defection to the PDP. The movement was linked to growing efforts by both parties to consolidate grassroots support ahead of the next general elections.
The movement has not been one-sided, however. On September 28, at least 1,500 PDP members in Alapa/Onire/Odegiwa Ward, Asa Local Government Area, reportedly defected to the APC.
Political defections have also reached the Kwara State House of Assembly. In September, the Assembly declared the seats of two lawmakers vacant after they defected from the APC to the PDP, citing constitutional provisions concerning lawmakers who change parties during their tenure.
The competing movements indicate that both the APC and PDP are intensifying efforts to strengthen their structures and attract influential politicians and grassroots supporters ahead of 2027.
For the PDP, the latest influx of APC members represents an opportunity to expand its presence in Ilorin West and other parts of Kwara. For the APC, the defections underscore the challenges posed by ongoing political realignments as the 2027 elections approach.
The impact of the latest movements on the eventual electoral contest, however, will depend on whether the parties can translate the defections into sustained grassroots organisation and voter support.
