The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has recorded fresh gains in Kwara State following the defection of hundreds of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the political ward of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the reported collapse of the APC structure in Shawo Central Ward, Offa, the home ward of Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru.

The developments, announced on Tuesday, have introduced a new dimension to the political contest ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly because the defections occurred in the immediate political bases of two prominent APC figures. In the governor’s ward, the defectors reportedly cited dissatisfaction with the administration and concerns about the direction of governance as reasons for joining the opposition PDP.

In Shawo Central Ward, Offa, a large number of APC members and supporters also formally announced their defection to the PDP, declaring their confidence in the leadership of former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki. The new PDP members said they believed the party provided a stronger platform for advancing the political interests of Offa and the state.

The declaration in Offa was followed by a solidarity procession by women from the ward, who took to the streets singing traditional songs and displaying their support for the opposition party. They pledged to mobilise voters across Offa Local Government Area for the PDP and expressed support for Saraki’s leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development is considered significant in Kwara South, given that Shawo Central is Senator Ashiru’s political ward. The reported weakening of the APC structure there, coming alongside defections from the governor’s political base, could provide fresh impetus to the PDP’s ongoing efforts to rebuild its grassroots machinery across the state.

With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the latest defections are likely to intensify the political contest in Kwara as both major parties seek to strengthen their ward-level structures. The PDP has in recent months continued to attract new members and reconnect with grassroots stakeholders across Kwara North, Central and South, while the latest movements provide another indication that the state’s political alignment may be undergoing a fresh realignment.