Mass Defection: Hundreds of APC Youths Join PDP in Ilorin West Ahead of 2027 Polls

Date: 2025-11-11

Youths from Ajikobi, Alanamu, and Ubandawaki Wards cite hardship and disappointment, calling 'Otoge' struggle a mistake

A major political realignment unfolded yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, as hundreds of youths from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) publicly dumped the party and joined the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The defecting youths cut across three major wards in Ilorin West Local Government Area: Ajikobi, Alanamu, and Ubandawaki Wards.

The leader of the defectors, Mallam Musa Kabir of Ubandawaki Ward, expressed deep regret for their involvement in the 2019 and 2023 'Otoge' struggles, describing the movement as a mistake that ushered in hardship and disappointment.

Allegations Against APC

The defectors leveled several accusations against the APC government under Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq:

  • Lack of Vision and Capacity: They accused the administration of lacking vision, direction, and the capacity to provide opportunities for the youths.
  • Economic Hardship: They recounted how businesses, shops, and sources of livelihood were destroyed across Ilorin metropolis as a result of the administration's policies, leaving thousands of young people economically stranded.

PDP Welcomes Defectors

Receiving the defectors on behalf of the state working committee of the PDP, the State Secretary of the PDP, Abdulrahman Abdullahi Kayode, commended the courage of the returnees. Kayode is also the convener of the defectors' movement and a member of Ubandawaki Ward.

He described their decision as a bold step towards restoring responsible leadership in Kwara State.

He acknowledged their frustration with the APC, noting that many who laboured during the Otoge movement were abandoned and left without recognition.

Kayode specifically praised the coordinator, Mallam Musa Kabir, for assembling youths across the three wards and for reconciling longstanding internal differences within his community.

He assured all the defectors of inclusiveness, party rewards, and a participatory role in rebuilding the PDP's grassroots strength.

Also, several speakers at the event including Wasiu Orekan, Alfa Adam Elelubo, Lookman Olarotimi Shehu Mukadam, Alhaja Shuaib Dupe Salamat, Alanamu Abubakar Jos, and veteran political figure, Alhaji Musa Tapa, condemned what they described as widespread neglect and insensitivity by the current administration.

Alhaja Salamat, a victim of the mass civil service sack that followed the Otoge movement, narrated her ordeal and lamented the abandonment of her community.

Alhaji Tapa, who worked with the late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki in the political struggles of 1979 before being displaced in 2019, declared his full return to the Saraki political family, and urged youths to equip themselves with voter's cards to "flush out bad governance in 2027."

Ward chairmen, including Mallam Gafar Alawo (Alanamu), Abubakar Yusuf Garba (Ajikobi) and Mallam Mashood Ahmed (Ubandawaki), welcomed the defectors warmly and assured them of full integration, cooperation and an open-door structure in their respective wards.

The Press Officer on Local Matters to Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, who hails from Ubandawaki Ward also lauded the state secretary for his exceptional grassroots mobilisation efforts.

He also commended the defectors for aligning with the Saraki political structure, and assured them of a level playing field, equal opportunities and the full support of ward executives.

He urged the new members to work closely with the existing structure and harmonise their efforts for the progress of the party.

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Ronke Adeyemi     Abdulrasheed Na\'Allah     Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship     Sulyman Tejidini     Aminat Ahmed     Yunus Lawal     Adaramaja     Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital     Benin Republic     Kwara Politics     John Olajide Adedipe     Raymond Olaitan     Razak Atunwa     Hijaab     Special Adviser On Digital Innovation     Oluwarotimi Boluwatife Adenike     Shoprite     Lateef Fagbemi     Ahmad Belgore     Umar Ayinla Saro     Ogbondoroko     Guber Aspirant     Suleiman Mora Omar     Kamaldeen Ajibade     Gwanara     Yusuf Abdulraheem     Oba Mogaji Abdulkadir     Ministry Of Women Affairs And Social Development     Muhammed Aliyu     Yakubu Mohammed Abdullahi     Oyawoye     Abdul Jimoh Mohammed     Eghe Igbinehin     Just Event Online     Olohungbebe     Bayo Onimago     Kwara State Geographic Information Service     IESA     Abatemi-Usman     Muhammed Akanbi     Oke-Ero     Saliu Ajibola Ajia     Rachael Obisesan     Al-Hikmah University     Aisha Abodunrin Ibrahim     Arik     Aliyu Umar     Hameed Oladipupo Ali     National Party Of Nigeria     Oko-Erin     Kwara Basketball Association     Nigerian Correctional Service     Yakub Lai Gobir     Ayeyemi Sulaiman     Sarakite     Rice Farmers Association Of Nigeria     Abdulwahab Olarewaju Issa     ITEM 7     Erubu     Olusola Saraki     Olaoye B. Felix     Osi     07039448763     Kwara State Sports Commission     TIIDELab     Jawondo     Mamman Saba Jibril     Hassan Oyeleke     Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola     Baakini     AbdulGaniyu Kareem     KWTV     Balogun Ajikobi     Bello Abubakar     Vasolar     Ahmed Bolaji Nagode     Oba Abdulkadir La\'aro    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

ER-KANG Mining Nigeria Company Limited     Kwara TV     Bio Ibrahim     Jebba     Afeyin-Olukuta     CLAY POT     Salihu S. Yaru     Bashiru Makama     Sulu Gambari     Asiwaju Bola Tinubu     Kwha.gov.ng     NNPP     Kazeem Oladepo     Funmilayo Braithwaite     Shonga Farm Project     Adedipe     NULGE     Ayinke Saka     Olatunde Olukoya     National Pilot     Oyawoye     Mahee Abdulkadir     Bayo Mohammed Onimode     Abdulazeez Uthman     Eghe Igbinehi     Hussein Oloyede     Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf     Aasiyat Bello Oyedepo     PAACO-PCL Consortium     Elerinjare     Oluwarotimi Boluwatife Adenike     Coalition Of Kwara North Groups     Taibat Ayinke Ahmed     KWTV     LABTOP     Jumoke Gafar     Moshood Mustapha     Kamaldeen Kehinde     Demola Banu     Yoruba     Bola Sagaya     Suleiman Abubakar     Kwara State Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Ayo Opadokun     Baba Idris     Hydro-electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Saliu Mustapha     Zainab Abass     Ayobami Akanbi     Waheed Ibrahim     Abubakar Imam     Bola Iyabo Ibiyeye Adisa     Olaosebikan     Offa Descendants Union     Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia     Abubakar Usman Jos     Taofik Mustapha     ER-KANG Mining     Government House     Abdulkadir Jimoh     Shao     Razaq Ayobami Akanbi     Muritala Awodun     Abubakar Aliagan     Ilesha-Baruba-Gwanara     Rachael Obisesan     Ibrahim Bio     Salihu Ajibola Ajia     Danhawa     Ibrahim Issa Jetti     Micheal Imoudu     Abubakar Abdullahi Bata     Habeeb Abdullahi Al-Ilory     SSA Youth Engagement     Quranic Recitation Competition     ITEM 7     Forgo Battery Company Limited