Over 2,500 APC Members Decamp to PDP in Offa, Say AbdulRahman-led Govt is Retrogressive to the Community
_…We are moving forward with PDP in Offa – Prince Popoola_
*_…Gov AbdulRahman’s Convoy Witnesses Mammoth Crowd as Major Roads Blocked During Defection_*
In a major political realignment that has sent shockwaves across Kwara South, no fewer than 2,500 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Offa Local Government Area have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The defectors, drawn from across the 12 political wards in Offa, announced their decision at a mega defection rally held in Offa on Saturday, citing exclusion, lack of internal democracy and selfish leadership of the ruling APC both at the local and state level.
The massive crowd which started at Iyeru primary school brought commercial activities to a standstill as major roads leading to the venue were blocked, with supporters chanting pro-PDP songs.
The decampees were formally received into the PDP by the party’s Senatorial Candidate for Kwara South, Prince Saheed Popoola, who was joined by other top leaders of the party. Among those present were the PDP Senatorial Chairman for Kwara South, the Senatorial Women Leader, the PDP House of Assembly Candidate for Offa Constituency, local government party executives and other chieftains of the party.
Speaking at the event, Prince Popoola described the defection as historic and a clear sign that the people of Offa have rejected retrogressive governance.
“This is a movement of liberation. We are moving forward with PDP in Offa. For too long our people have been sidelined in their own party. Today, you have taken a bold step to join a party that values inclusion, equity and development,” Popoola told the cheering crowd.
He assured the new members of equal rights and full integration into the party structure, promising that the PDP would run an open-door policy that carries everyone along.
Leaders of the defecting groups, who spoke on behalf of the 12 wards, accused the APC leadership of running a one-man show. According to them, the party under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has become exclusive, with decisions taken by a few individuals without consultation.
They specifically described the AbdulRahman-led administration as retrogressive to the development of Offa community, noting that despite Offa’s contributions to the state, the town has suffered neglect and marginalization in terms of infrastructure and political appointments.
A dramatic scene unfolded during the rally when the convoy of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq ran into the mammoth crowd while passing through the venue, the governor and his team witnessed the sea of PDP supporters while they all praised Saraki, it was a clear show of rejection by the people of Offa.
In what political watchers have termed a damage-control effort, Governor AbdulRahman, a few hours after witnessing the massive defection, attended the Annual Maulud Nabiy celebration organized by the Chief Imam of Offa, where he announced a donation of over N60 million.
Reacting to the donation, PDP leaders at the rally said the people of Offa can no longer be swayed by last-minute monetary inducements, insisting that the people have made up their minds to vote for purposeful leadership in the next general elections.
The event ended with the formal registration of the new members and solidarity songs by women groups and youth wings of the party.