ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that more opposition party members will defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. This bold prediction came on the heels of a unanimous endorsement from both the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and the National Working Committee (NWC), which declared him the party’s sole presidential candidate.
Speaking during the APC National Summit themed “Renewed Hope Agenda: The Journey So Far” at the Banquet Hall of the State House, President Tinubu described the growing influx of defectors as a natural consequence of Nigeria’s political realities. “You don’t blame people for abandoning a sinking ship when there’s no life jacket,” he remarked. “I’m glad for what we have, and I expect more to come. That is the game in a constitutional democracy.”
His comments follow a wave of defections from key opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Notable figures such as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the Delta PDP structure, and several lawmakers from Delta, Edo, and Kano states have already crossed over to the APC.
Tinubu also emphasized the constitutional right to freedom of association, stating, “Freedom of movement and association are not crimes. Welcome to the progressives. Sweep them clean.”
In his speech, he praised Vice President Kashim Shettima as part of his strategic team and assured Nigerians of economic revival and industrial growth in the next two years. “Nigeria will be industrialized. We have the mission and the vision. Be patient, more opportunities are coming,” Tinubu added.
APC Endorses Tinubu for 2027 Presidency
APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, formally declared Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for 2027. “As the only recognized platform to field a candidate, I hereby affirm the endorsement of President Tinubu,” Ganduje said.
Echoing this, 22 APC governors under the Progressive Governors’ Forum led by Senator Hope Uzodimma of Imo State passed a vote of confidence in the President and moved a motion for his adoption, which was supported by a unanimous voice vote.
Mixed Reactions Trail Endorsement
However, the endorsement sparked strong reactions from civil and regional groups.
Dr. Bitrus Pogu, President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), criticized the move as sycophantic and disconnected from the nation’s economic and security realities. “There are ministers who are performing, but overall, the economy remains unstable, and insecurity persists,” he stated.
The Ijaw National Congress (INC), through its President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, warned that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party state. “This is a predictable outcome following the wave of defections. We are concerned about democratic balance,” he said.
The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, was unsurprised by the endorsement but urged leaders to focus on delivering democratic dividends rather than political theatrics. “What they should focus on is governance, not endorsements,” said its spokesperson, Mr. Justice Faloye.
CUPP Alleges Desperation within APC
In a critical response, the Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP) labeled the endorsement a sign of panic. “This early adoption of President Tinubu, just two years into his term, reflects anxiety within the APC amid mounting economic hardships,” said CUPP spokesperson Chief Peter Ameh.
He added that the move does not represent the will of Nigerians, who are battling inflation and economic distress. “The 2027 election will be a defining moment, and we will ensure the democratic process is upheld.”
As Nigeria inches closer to another election cycle, the political chessboard is already shifting, with realignments, power plays, and early endorsements shaping what promises to be a high-stakes contest.
