(DDM) – A former two-term member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Saheed Popoola, has officially defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), signaling a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections in the state.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Popoola, who represented Ojomu/Balogun constituency in Offa Local Government Area, announced his decision after a closed-door consultation with political stakeholders, traditional rulers, and community leaders in his constituency.
In a statement confirming his defection, Popoola cited internal divisions, lack of internal democracy, and what he described as “anti-people policies” of the APC-led administration in Kwara State as reasons for his decision to quit the ruling party.
According to him, the ideals of the APC no longer align with the aspirations of the people he represents. “I joined the APC with the hope of advancing good governance, inclusivity, and grassroots empowerment.
Unfortunately, the leadership has derailed from those principles and abandoned the people that gave them power,” he said.
DDM reports that Hon. Popoola was one of the key political figures who helped the APC secure victory during the 2019 elections that ended the long reign of the Saraki political dynasty in Kwara State under the “Ó Tó Gé” movement.
His exit, therefore, is being seen by analysts as a major political blow to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s re-election machinery and the APC’s unity in the state.
Popoola’s defection to the PDP is said to have been facilitated by prominent PDP stakeholders in Kwara, who reportedly assured him of a strong platform to pursue his political vision.
Sources within the PDP say his entry is part of a broader strategy to rebuild the party’s influence and reclaim power in 2027.
Reacting to the development, the Kwara PDP chairman, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed, welcomed Popoola into the party, describing him as a “grassroots mobilizer and a trusted political ally.”
He expressed confidence that Popoola’s defection will further strengthen the PDP’s chances in the coming elections.
Meanwhile, APC spokesperson in the state, Tajudeen Aro, dismissed the defection as “a normal political move,” insisting that Popoola’s exit will not affect the party’s dominance in Kwara politics.
Political observers note that Popoola’s defection reflects a growing wave of discontent within the ruling party across several states, as key members question the leadership’s handling of internal party affairs and governance.
With this latest development, DDM gathered that Kwara’s political scene is gradually heating up, as the PDP intensifies efforts to consolidate its base and challenge the APC’s control ahead of the next electoral cycle.
