ABUJA, Nigeria — Major opposition parties are bracing for a wave of defections from the ruling All Progressives Congress beginning in April, as lawmakers fear losing return tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections, March 2, 2026.

The expected defections are linked to party primaries to be conducted across the 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies and 990 seats in the 36 state Houses of Assembly.

Under the new Electoral Act, indirect primaries have been eliminated, raising concerns among lawmakers seeking reelection that state governors may block their emergence as candidates.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has already released a revised timetable for the 2027 polls, including dates for party primaries.

2027: INEC Announces Plan To Conduct Nationwide Mock Election

Several members of the National Assembly and state assemblies who plan to seek reelection told The Sun that recent defections of opposition governors to the APC have heightened uncertainty within the ruling party.

The lawmakers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some governors who joined the APC are insisting on producing candidates for the 2027 general elections without considering existing party members.

A lawmaker from Delta State said part of the negotiations between the defecting governors, the APC leadership and President Bola Tinubu included an understanding that the governors would be allowed to handpick candidates for next year’s elections.

According to him, some governors are reluctant to accommodate APC members they met in the party after defecting, preferring instead to field new candidates, many of whom are from the Peoples Democratic Party.

“To avoid being caught unawares, some of us have opened talks with the PDP, the African Democratic Congress and the Labour Party,” the lawmaker said. “Governors control the structures of political parties in the states. Today, almost all the PDP governors have moved to the APC. They came with their own structures and allies.”

He added that many lawmakers believe they may not secure APC tickets and are exploring alternative platforms to retain their seats.

“Our only option is to open negotiations with the PDP, ADC and LP. Hopefully, we will use our popularity to campaign and hope that we win our re-elections next year,” he said.

In a move seen as an attempt to limit defections, the APC is reportedly considering holding its National and State Houses of Assembly primaries toward the end of the window permitted by INEC.

A party source said that if the plan succeeds, aspirants denied tickets may lack sufficient time to defect and secure nominations from opposition parties before the close of the nomination period in May.