President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed confidence that more politicians from opposition parties will defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the 2027 general elections approach. He made this statement during the APC National Summit held in Abuja on Thursday, where he was officially endorsed as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the upcoming election.
“You don’t blame people for leaving a sinking ship,” Tinubu remarked, referring to the recent wave of defections from opposition parties to the APC. “I am expecting more to come; that is the game. We are in a constitutional democracy that guarantees freedom of movement and association. Welcome to the progressives.”
The APC’s endorsement of Tinubu was unanimous, with the party’s National Working Committee, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), and the National Assembly leadership all declaring their support. Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, chairman of the PGF, moved the motion for Tinubu’s adoption, which was seconded by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas also backed the motion, which was met with a standing ovation from attendees at the summit.
Tinubu’s assertion comes amid a series of high-profile defections to the APC. Notably, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and the state’s PDP structure recently joined the ruling party. Additionally, six members of the House of Representatives and several state lawmakers from Delta and Edo States have switched allegiance to the APC. In Kano State, Senator Kawu Sumaila and other NNPP members have also defected.
While Tinubu celebrates these defections as a sign of the APC’s growing strength, opposition parties have raised concerns. The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) criticized the APC’s endorsement of Tinubu, describing it as a “desperate bid for power” that could lead to the party’s implosion and highlights its disconnect from the nation’s realities.
Despite the criticisms, Tinubu remains optimistic about the APC’s prospects. He emphasized the party’s commitment to economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and currency liberalization, which have been praised by international financial bodies but have also led to a cost-of-living crisis domestically. Tinubu acknowledged the challenges but urged Nigerians to be patient, promising that the next two years would bring significant improvements.
“The resuscitation of the Nigerian economy is on course,” he stated. “The hope is standing before you; take it on. Nigeria will be industrialized. The next two years will be great. We have the mission, we have the vision.”
As the 2027 elections draw nearer, the political landscape in Nigeria continues to evolve, with the APC consolidating its power base and the opposition seeking to regroup and strategize. Tinubu’s confidence in attracting more defectors underscores the dynamic nature of Nigerian politics and sets the stage for a highly competitive electoral season.
