The political battle for Kwara ahead of the 2027 general elections has taken a new turn, with groups of All Progressives Congress (APC) members in key wards defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In Offa Local Government Area, APC members in Shawo Central Ward, the political home of Senator Lola Ashiru, formally announced their defection to the PDP.
The defectors, led by Comrade Ezekiel Adepoju, said their decision was driven by their belief that the PDP offered a stronger platform for the political future of Offa and Kwara State.
They also declared their support for former Senate President and PDP leader, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, whom they described as a leader they were confident in.
The defection triggered a show of support from women in the ward, who later took to the streets in a solidarity rally. The women sang traditional songs, celebrated the move and pledged to mobilise voters for the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development is notable because Shawo Central Ward is regarded as the political base of Senator Ashiru, making the movement potentially significant in the contest for grassroots influence in Kwara South.
A similar development was reported in Ilorin, where hundreds of APC members from the political ward of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq also announced their defection to the PDP.
The group, led by Mr Taofeek Mohammed, attributed its decision to dissatisfaction with the APC administration and concerns about the direction of governance in the state.
Mohammed argued that the defections from both the governor’s political base and the home ward of a serving senator should not be dismissed as routine political movements.
He maintained that political strength is ultimately determined by grassroots confidence and support, rather than official narratives or social media presence.
With the 2027 elections still ahead, the developments are likely to intensify the political conversation in Kwara, particularly over whether the PDP can translate the reported defections into a stronger grassroots structure and electoral advantage.
