Kwara APC Suffers Setback As Hundreds Defect To PDP In Offa
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has suffered a major political setback as members of the party in the Shawo Central Ward, Offa local government area, have defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Shawo Central Ward is the home Ward of the incumbent Kwara South Senator, Architect Lola Ashiru.
Speaking during the declaration in Offa, led by Comrade Ezekiel Adepoju, the APC defectors said that they are convinced in the leadership of former Senate President and the PDP leader, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, adding that the PDP provides a better platform for the political future of Offa and Kwara State.
The people, who said that the development was capable of altering political atmosphere in Offa ahead of the 2027 general elections, added that the development was followed by a spontaneous show of support from women in the ward, “who trooped out in large numbers shortly after the declaration to celebrate the decision.
“The women moved through the community in solidarity rally, chanting traditional local songs and expressing their readiness to work for the success of the PDP at the polls. In their songs and chants, the women declared their support for Saraki’s leadership and vowed to mobilise voters across Offa Local Government Area for the PDP in the 2027 elections.
“The development is particularly significant coming from Shawo Central Ward, the political home of Senator Lola Ashiru, and is being viewed within political circles as another indication of the growing contest for grassroots support in Offa ahead of the 2027 elections.”
Also, hundreds of members of the APC in the political ward of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq have declared their support for the opposition PDP.
Speaking with journalists during the defection, the people, led by Mr. Taofeek Mohammed, cited disappointment with the APC administration and growing concerns over the direction of governance in the state.
Mohammed, who said that the defectors were received into the PDP fold with enthusiasm, added that their decision, coming from the Governor’s own political base, sends a strong political message 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..
The people, who said that political strength is not measured by government propaganda or social media claims, added that performance is measured by the confidence of the people.
“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
