Kwara 2027: Hundreds of APC Members Defect to PDP, Back Saliu Mustapha

Hundreds of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Balogun Fulani Ward 2, Kwara Central Senatorial District, have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring their support for Senator Saliu Mustapha.

The defectors, under the aegis of the Saliu Mustapha Supporters, formally joined the PDP on Friday during a rally held across the Balogun Fulani community.

The rally, tagged “Hijra with Turaki,” was organised to mark the supporters’ decision to follow Senator Mustapha into the PDP following his emergence as the party’s candidate for the Kwara Central Senatorial District.

Speaking during the event, leaders of the group said their decision to leave the APC was driven by their loyalty to Senator Mustapha and their resolve to remain with him as he begins a new political chapter under the PDP.

They described the rally as a demonstration of their continued commitment to the senator and his political movement.

The supporters marched through various parts of the Balogun Fulani community, displaying PDP flags, singing solidarity songs and chanting in support of Senator Mustapha.

According to the organisers, the theme “Hijra with Turaki” symbolised their decision to move with Senator Mustapha, whom they described as the Turaki of Ilorin.

The group also pledged to mobilise more supporters for the PDP and contribute to strengthening the party’s structure in Balogun Fulani Ward 2 and other parts of Kwara Central ahead of the 2027 elections.

The defection comes amid political realignments involving supporters of Senator Mustapha following his move to the PDP, with his loyalists continuing to publicly identify with his new political platform.