Akpabio Predicts More Governors Will Defect to APC, Lauds Tinubu’s Reforms

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has revealed that more state governors from opposition parties are preparing to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to align themselves with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Akpabio made this declaration in Owerri during the launch of a book titled Ten Years of Impactful Leadership of the APC Administration in Nigeria, authored by the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma. The event also coincided with the commissioning of key projects by President Tinubu.

In his goodwill message at the ceremony, Akpabio praised the President’s leadership style and the reforms introduced under his administration, declaring that the performance of Tinubu had begun to attract admiration not only from Nigerians but also from political leaders across party lines. According to him, the achievements recorded within just two years of Tinubu’s presidency have left opposition leaders with no choice but to consider joining the APC.

“Mr. President, with what you have done in the last two years, get ready to receive more governors from the opposition parties. As I speak, there are several governors in Nigeria today that are ready to be received by you,” Akpabio announced.

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The Senate President highlighted that the policies and reforms implemented under Tinubu’s government were already creating visible results that ordinary Nigerians could attest to. He explained that the testimonies of students, farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs were proof that the government’s interventions were yielding positive changes in the economy and society.

“The students, farmers and businessmen are all speaking on the various reforms you have brought into governance, which are now yielding results in the overall interest and benefit of the people. If we say it, they will accuse us of rubber-stamping your achievements, but the beneficiaries are the ones talking about what you have done,” he said.

Akpabio also seized the opportunity to commend Governor Hope Uzodimma for taking the initiative to chronicle the contributions of the APC government over the past decade. He described the book as a valuable historical record that would serve future generations in understanding the evolution of governance under the party.

“I thank Governor Uzodimma for deciding to put history in writing in his Ten Years of Impactful Leadership of the APC Administration in Nigeria. If you don’t tell your story, others will tell it for you. Progressiveness is not in words, it is in action. The quality of works done by the governor is of high quality and the people of Imo State must be very, very excited,” Akpabio said.

Reflecting on his personal political history, Akpabio reminded the gathering that he had always been a progressive leader, even before formally joining the APC. He pointed to his record as Governor of Akwa Ibom State nearly two decades ago, where he initiated numerous developmental projects that transformed the state’s infrastructure and human capital.

“As the Governor of Akwa Ibom State 18 years ago, I was already a progressive, based on the projects I executed,” he declared, stressing that his philosophy of leadership has always been anchored on progressive ideals and people-centered governance.

The Senate President’s remarks carry significant political weight, especially in the context of Nigeria’s fluid political landscape where defections are a common strategy for survival and relevance. If indeed more governors from opposition parties cross over to the APC, it would further strengthen the ruling party’s dominance ahead of the 2027 general elections. Already, the APC has a strong majority across many states, and additional defections would consolidate its political control.

Observers note that Akpabio’s comments may also serve as a subtle political signal, preparing the ground for potential realignments in Nigeria’s political structure. Historically, ruling parties in Nigeria have benefited from defections as opposition figures often seek to align themselves with the central government to access federal patronage and resources.

At the same time, Akpabio’s strong defense of Tinubu’s reforms underscores the APC’s determination to counter criticism of government policies, particularly on issues such as fuel subsidy removal, economic reforms, and foreign exchange liberalization. While these policies have generated hardship in the short term, the Senate President insisted that the long-term impact would be beneficial, and Nigerians were already beginning to see results.

By emphasizing testimonies from ordinary citizens, Akpabio sought to portray Tinubu’s leadership as one that is people-driven and result-oriented. His remarks at the Owerri event align with the ruling party’s broader narrative of defending the President’s decisions while projecting optimism about future outcomes.

In conclusion, Akpabio’s prediction of more defections to the APC highlights the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of Nigerian politics. His praise for Tinubu’s reforms and his commendation of Governor Uzodimma’s documentation of APC’s achievements further reflect the ruling party’s focus on consolidating its political base. Whether more opposition governors will indeed switch allegiance remains to be seen, but Akpabio’s remarks suggest that the APC is already anticipating an expanded dominance on the political scene ahead of the 2027 elections.