The All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a major grassroots loss in Kwara State after hundreds of members in two politically strategic wards defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The first defection took place in Shawo Central Ward, Offa Local Government Area — the home ward of Kwara South Senator Lola Ashiru. The declaration was led by Comrade Ezekiel Adepoju, who said members were drawn to the leadership of former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and described PDP as a better platform for the political future of Offa and Kwara State at large. Shortly after the declaration, women from the ward staged a solidarity rally through the community. Singing traditional songs, they pledged to mobilise votes for PDP across Offa LGA and voiced support for Saraki’s leadership. Political observers noted the significance of the defection coming from Senator Ashiru’s base, describing it as a sign of deepening competition for grassroots loyalty in the area ahead of 2027.
In a separate development in Ilorin, hundreds of APC members from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s own political ward also declared support for PDP. The group was led by Mr. Taofeek Mohammed, who told journalists that disappointment with the APC administration and concerns about the direction of governance in Kwara State had driven their decision. Mohammed said the move carried a clear political message, particularly because it originated from the governor’s own political base. He added that true political strength was not determined by government messaging or online claims, but by the trust and confidence of ordinary people.
The back-to-back losses in Shawo Central and the governor’s ward are seen as an early test of party loyalty in Kwara ahead of 2027. With PDP gaining traction in both Offa and Ilorin, the race for grassroots control in the state appears to be tightening.