Mass Exodus Hits Kwara APC as Saliu Mustapha’s Supporters Defect to PDP in Alanamu Ward

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, hundreds of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Alanamu Ward, Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The defectors, who are supporters of Senator Saliu Mustapha under the aegis of Saliu Mustapha Supporters (SMS), were drawn from various polling units across the local government. They were officially received into the PDP on Saturday after a rally attended by key party stakeholders.

Speaking at the party secretariat in Alanamu Ward, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Adio, who led the defectors, said their decision to join the PDP was driven by their continued support for Senator Mustapha, as well as their confidence in the leadership of former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and the direction of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Adio said they had decided to align with the PDP following Senator Mustapha’s defection from the APC and his emergence as the party’s senatorial candidate for Kwara Central.

According to him, “We are here because of our principal, Senator Saliu Mustapha. He is a distinguished politician who is loved by all. We will continue to stand by him wherever he chooses to pursue his political career.

“We are also encouraged by the leadership of our former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, and the direction of the PDP in Kwara State. We believe in the party’s leadership and are ready to work with other members to achieve success in 2027.”

Adio appreciated the PDP leadership and members in Alanamu Ward for the warm reception accorded the defectors, expressing their commitment to working for the success of all PDP candidates in the 2027 elections.

The PDP Alanamu Ward Chairman, Mallam Abdulgafar Alawo, while receiving the defectors, described their decision to join the party as timely and significant.

He assured the defectors of the party’s support and cooperation, noting that their arrival would further strengthen the PDP at the grassroots.

Alawo, however, urged them to see their membership of the PDP as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the success of the party in the 2027 general elections.