24 PDP Leaders Defect To APC, ADC As Saraki Loses Grip in Kwara

Kwara State’s political scene has been shaken by the defection of 24 prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). 

The wave of departures, which includes former governors, legislators and grassroots organisers, is seen as one of the biggest setbacks yet for the PDP in the state.

The exodus was led by former governor Abdulfatai Ahmed, who announced in July that he was leaving the PDP for the ADC. Citing a “lack of vision and internal democracy,” Ahmed said he was convinced the party could no longer deliver on the aspirations of its members.

His move opened the floodgates for other senior figures to leave.

Among those who have crossed over are Gbenga Makanjuola, the PDP’s deputy gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 election, and Dare Bankole, a two-time House of Representatives candidate.

Both joined the APC, pledging support for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s development agenda. At a rally in Omu-Aran, Makanjuola said the PDP had “lost its soul” and that Kwara’s future lies in “a party that works for the people.”

Bolaji Abdullahi, the PDP’s 2023 senatorial candidate for Kwara Central and a former APC national publicity secretary, also joined the ADC. In a speech in Ilorin, Abdullahi accused the PDP of “stagnation” and called the ADC “the only viable opposition in Kwara.”

Others who have defected to the APC include Hon. Wahab Issa, a former member of the House of Representatives; Kehinde Alex Bankole, a 2019 state constituency candidate; Haliru Dantsoho, former PDP youth leader; Hon. Adam Zakaria, a ward chairman; Hon. Toyin Ibrahim, a former councilor; Samson Osoba, a former council secretary in Oyun; and Hon. Joshua Omokanye Jalalala, a former Oyun local government chairman.

Several other figures, including Hon. Amuda Kanike, a former member of the House of Representatives; Hajiya Nana Suleiman, PDP North-Central zonal women leader; and Engr. A.T. Asanloko, a former council secretary, have moved to the ADC.

They say the PDP’s leadership has failed to provide opportunities for inclusion and growth.

Bukola Saraki, the PDP’s most influential figure in the state, called an emergency meeting in Ilorin to try to prevent further losses, but his appeal fell on deaf ears.

The defections continued, with some openly challenging Saraki’s leadership and calling time on what they described as “one-man politics.”

Governor AbdulRazaq has welcomed the defectors, describing their decision as a vote of confidence in his government’s direction.

At a rally in Kaiama, he said: “Kwara is moving forward, and the APC is the vehicle for progress. We welcome all who share our vision.”

For the PDP, the fallout has been severe. Many grassroots leaders, councillors, and organisers who have formed the backbone of the party’s political structure in the state have abandoned it.

With the departure of such a large number of leaders and their followers, observers say the PDP faces an uphill battle to remain relevant.