APC members defect to PDP in Offa ahead of 2027

Hundreds of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The defectors were drawn from several wards in the local government, including Shawo Central Ward, the political base of Senator Lola Ashiru, who represents Kwara South in the National Assembly, as well as the political ward of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The development comes as the PDP intensifies efforts to rebuild its grassroots structures and strengthen its presence across Kwara State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking during the defection in Offa on Tuesday, leader of the Shawo Central Ward defectors, Ezekiel Adepoju, said the group joined the PDP because of its confidence in the leadership of former Senate President and PDP chieftain, Bukola Saraki.

Adepoju said the defectors believed the PDP 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 added that the group was encouraged by what it described as the direction and leadership provided by Saraki within the opposition party.

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

The women moved through parts of the community, singing traditional songs and expressing support for Saraki and the PDP, while pledging to mobilise voters across the local government for the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development is considered politically significant as Shawo Central Ward is the home ward of Ashiru, a serving senator representing Kwara South.

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

The group, led by Taofeek Mohammed, attributed its decision to 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 was significant 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 measured by voters’ confidence 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.

The defectors pledged to mobilise more residents to join the PDP and support the party in the 2027 elections.