2027: APC Woos Opposition Governors Amid Wave of Defections and Political Tension
As Nigeria inches toward the 2027 presidential elections, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is stepping up its political game, aggressively courting opposition governors with high-level offers aimed at expanding its influence and securing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid.
According to The Punch, sources within both the APC and opposition camps revealed that several current governors are being promised return tickets, control over their succession plans, and power to nominate National Assembly members. Former governors are being enticed with ministerial appointments, sparking widespread anxiety within the ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Wave of Defections Shakes Opposition
Since mid-2023, the opposition has been bleeding members at all levels. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa formally joined the APC. Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, despite being elected under the PDP, has openly endorsed Tinubu, prompting reports he may soon defect. Former governor Udom Emmanuel has reportedly confirmed Eno’s departure from the PDP.
APGA’s Charles Soludo and several NNPP figures, including Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, are also alleged to be aligning with Tinubu’s 2027 agenda.
In Adamawa State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu held a four-hour closed-door meeting with Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, offering him a chance to handpick his successor and possibly return as a senator or minister in 2027. The meeting, devoid of press access, deepened suspicions of high-level political maneuvering.
APC Tightens Grip on National Assembly
The APC’s influence has surged in the National Assembly. At the start of the 10th Assembly, the APC controlled 59 Senate seats and 175 House seats. Now, over 38 lawmakers including eight senators and 30 representatives have defected from opposition parties, giving the APC a firmer majority.
Notable defections include Senator Ned Nwoko, Reps from Delta like Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, and Labour Party’s Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi. Kebbi State saw three senators Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki switch to the APC after meeting with Tinubu.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele justified the moves as part of a “government of national unity,” denying any coercion.
Atiku, Opposition Leaders Push Back
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar issued a strong warning to opposition members contemplating defection. Describing Tinubu’s administration as “rudderless” and “a disaster,” Atiku called for a united opposition coalition to “reclaim the country.” He condemned the APC’s alleged use of intimidation and corruption allegations to force defections, describing the strategy as dangerous for democracy.
“We are at a crossroads… Defecting to support Tinubu is a vote to perpetuate poverty and insecurity,” Atiku said.
PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba labeled the Tinubu administration a “failed government” and called for unity among opposition parties. He asserted that the 2027 elections would be “the Nigerian people vs. the APC.”
NNPP: Defections Driven by Greed
NNPP’s spokesperson Ladipo Johnson described the trend of defections as alarming and driven by self-interest rather than ideology. He denied reports that Rabiu Kwankwaso or Kano Governor Yusuf planned to leave the NNPP.
“These defections are more about stomach infrastructure than nation-building. Nigerians must wake up and take back their country,” Johnson warned.
Despite the losses, the NNPP insists it remains structurally intact and committed to the 2027 race.
Analysis:
The defections have revealed a deeper structural crisis within Nigeria’s opposition parties. As the APC courts more opposition figures with enticing offers, many critics fear the erosion of political plurality. Whether these moves solidify Tinubu’s re-election bid or provoke a mass opposition revival remains to be seen.
Reference
2027: APC Woos Opposition Governors Amid Wave of Defections and Political Tension