Kwara State politics shifts as Senator Mustapha defects to PDP

Political realignments are intensifying in Kwara State following the defection of Senator Saliu Mustapha from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Following his exit, 12 ward executives from Gambari Ward 1 in Ilorin East Local Government Area have resigned from the APC to join the PDP, aligning themselves with what is being described as an emerging ‘Rainbow Coalition’ ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Simultaneously, political stakeholders from the Kwara North Senatorial District have issued a statement rejecting claims attributed to Senator Mustapha regarding the district's political influence. The stakeholders disputed suggestions that Kwara North lacks the numerical strength to produce a state governor, arguing that political relevance should not be determined solely by population. They cited historical precedents and called for equity and inclusion in governorship rotations, noting a perceived imbalance in political representation across the state's districts.