A major political stir occurred in Ilorin on Saturday as Hon. Moshood Mustapha (MM), a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made an unexpected appearance at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state convention, setting the stage for potential political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
Mustapha, a former federal lawmaker and one-time ally of ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki, had defected to the APC after falling out with Saraki’s political bloc.
However, his presence at the PDP convention has reignited speculation that he may be returning to his old political roots.
The atmosphere at the event shifted dramatically when Mustapha walked into the convention hall and proceeded to greet PDP leaders seated at the high table, including Saraki himself.
His arrival was met with loud applause and cheers from delegates and observers, many of whom appeared taken by surprise.
Though MM did not make any formal declaration or speech, his brief appearance and interactions with key PDP figures were enough to stir political excitement and raise questions about his next move.
Mustapha’s return to a PDP platform, even symbolically, is being widely interpreted as a signal of reconciliation with the Saraki-led political establishment, following years of rivalry and public disagreements.
Once a vocal supporter of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Mustapha later became one of the governor’s fiercest critics, citing policy disagreements and political marginalisation.
His appearance at the PDP gathering may suggest renewed political ambitions and a repositioning ahead of the 2027 governorship race in Kwara State, where the political landscape remains fluid.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the APC in Kwara, Abdulwahid Babatunde, acknowledged the development but declined to elaborate.
“Well, this is a new development and I cannot say much about it now. But you can call me later for our position on it,” Babatunde told Daily Trust.
Though Mustapha left the venue shortly after greeting PDP leaders, observers say his calculated re-entry into PDP terrain, however informal, could reshape the current political alignments in Kwara.
