Kwara State's political landscape faces significant upheaval following the defection of 24 prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking one of the party's most severe setbacks in the state.

The exodus was triggered by former Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed, who announced his departure from the PDP for the ADC in July, citing "a lack of vision and internal democracy" within the party. His move catalysed a cascade of high-profile exits, including:

Gbenga Makanjuola (PDP's 2023 deputy gubernatorial candidate) and Dare Bankole (two-time House of Representatives aspirant), who joined the APC and pledged support for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's development agenda. At an Omu-Aran rally, Makanjuola declared the PDP had "lost its soul" and that Kwara's future lies with "a party that works for the people."

Bolaji Abdullahi (PDP's 2023 Kwara Central senatorial candidate and former APC National Publicity Secretary), who defected to the ADC, condemning the PDP as "stagnant" and labelling the ADC "the only viable opposition in Kwara."

The defections signal deepening fractures within the PDP, with insiders describing the losses as a critical blow to the party's grassroots structure and electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 polls.

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.