APC Predicts More Political Defections as 2027 Realignment Takes Shape

the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday hinted that the recent wave of defections into its ranks is merely the beginning. The ruling party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, made this disclosure during a one-day capacity-building seminar held in Abuja, urging stakeholders to prepare for a deeper reshaping of Nigeria’s political landscape.

Held under the theme “Communicating Renewed Hope – A Capacity Building Seminar for APC Zonal and State Publicity Secretaries”, the event focused on strengthening the party’s media strategies while addressing key national concerns such as misinformation, ethnic division, and religious manipulation in politics.

Makinde Doubles Oyo’s Secondary School Workforce In Six Years, Bolsters Education Sector

APC Confident of Expansion Amid Defection Surge

Senator Basiru confidently declared that more state governors are poised to join the APC in the coming months. “As of the last count, we have 23 governors in our vault. We still have more governors who are viable candidates to come,” he said. Without revealing specific names, he noted that the influx will include both viable and less viable candidates seeking to align with the ruling party’s growing influence.

Basiru emphasized that this phase of political repositioning is a direct result of the changing dynamics since the 2023 elections. He pointed out that APC’s success is not only measured in numbers but also in the developmental strides of its governors. “We must showcase what our governors are doing to prove that governance is more than just noise—it’s about impactful programmes and concrete action,” he noted.

He further warned against the increasing use of misinformation in political discourse, citing how images from war-torn countries are manipulated and falsely attributed to Nigeria to discredit the current administration. “Before 2023, we witnessed the weaponisation of falsehood, and unfortunately, that trend continues,” Basiru added.

Equally concerning, according to him, is the dangerous rise in ethnic and religious fault lines that were aggravated during and after the 2023 elections. “Ethnicity and religion have been shamelessly weaponised for political gain. This seminar is essential in crafting effective responses to those divisions,” he stressed.

Economic Foundation Under APC: “Digging Deep for Growth”

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, painted an optimistic picture of Nigeria’s economic recovery. He likened the APC-led government’s macroeconomic reforms to laying the deep foundation necessary for building a skyscraper—largely unseen but absolutely critical.

Alake praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold policy decisions, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of the exchange rate. According to him, these long-avoided economic reforms were crucial in reversing Nigeria’s declining economic trajectory. “These were two hydra-headed monsters dragging the economy backward. By tackling them head-on, the government has freed up significant revenue,” Alake noted.

He stressed that the benefits of these reforms are already trickling down to sub-national entities, including state and local governments. “Many states have now cleared longstanding debts and are embarking on infrastructure projects that were once financially out of reach,” he said.

While acknowledging the pain that accompanies deep reforms, Alake maintained that the decisions made were necessary for sustainable economic growth. “Every government before now knew fuel subsidy was unsustainable, but none had the courage to act. President Tinubu did, and that courage is already yielding macroeconomic benefits,” he added.

In closing, both Basiru and Alake urged APC’s zonal and state publicity secretaries to take ownership of the party’s narrative by promoting its achievements and countering misinformation with facts. They emphasized the importance of unity, consistency, and visibility in the party’s communication strategies as Nigeria prepares for a politically charged lead-up to 2027.

With more defections expected and economic reforms gradually taking shape, the APC appears poised to solidify its grip on the political sphere. Whether this momentum can be sustained remains to be seen, but the message from the ruling party is clear: the realignment is just beginning.