The All Progressives Congress (APC) has received a fresh batch of defectors from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in five states, declaring that the development signals growing support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors, drawn from Sokoto, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kano and Plateau states, were received by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Friday.
The ruling party used the occasion to take a swipe at opposition parties, with its leaders describing the defections as evidence of the APC’s growing political appeal and organisational strength ahead of the next general elections.
Yilwatda welcomed the new members, saying their decision to join the APC reflected confidence in the party’s commitment to national unity, economic development and the implementation of its Renewed Hope Agenda.
He maintained that Tinubu had consistently supported political inclusion and power rotation, citing the president’s alleged contributions to the emergence of different political leaders in previous election cycles.
According to the APC chairman, Tinubu supported former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition in 2007, backed former National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu under the Action Congress of Nigeria in 2011 and played a significant role in the emergence of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
He also recalled Tinubu’s support for Buhari’s re-election in 2019, arguing that the president had demonstrated a willingness to prioritise national unity over personal ambition.
Yilwatda urged the defectors to contribute to the party’s efforts to build what he described as a stronger, more united and prosperous Nigeria.
APC defends Tinubu’s policies
The APC chairman dismissed claims that the Tinubu administration had neglected northern Nigeria, pointing to ongoing road, railway, gas and other infrastructure projects across the region.
He cited the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road, Kano-Maiduguri road, Kano-Maradi railway project and Kaduna-Kano rail line as examples of infrastructure investments aimed at improving connectivity and economic activities in the North.
He also referenced road projects linking Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto and Kebbi, as well as plans to expand gas infrastructure to support agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and electricity generation.
According to him, projects in the South, including the coastal road and deep-sea ports, would also benefit northern businesses by improving access to export markets and creating new trade opportunities.
Yilwatda argued that integrating railway and port infrastructure would make it easier for northern entrepreneurs to transport goods and establish industries serving regional markets.
He also defended the administration’s economic policies, saying the government had addressed significant financial obligations inherited from previous administrations.
Citing payments to foreign airlines, investors and power-sector operators, he argued that settling outstanding obligations had helped restore confidence in the economy.
The APC chairman cautioned against proposals to reintroduce fuel subsidies or offer substantial fuel discounts through government intervention, warning that such measures could impose an unsustainable financial burden on the country.
He also criticised the privatisation of major national assets under previous administrations, citing the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria and steel companies as examples of what he described as the mismanagement of national economic resources.
2027: APC secretary takes a swipe at opposition
Earlier, the APC National Secretary, Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, welcomed the defectors, describing the party as a structured political organisation with the capacity to mobilise Nigerians for national development.
Basiru said the APC’s strength lay in its organisational structure and the experience of its National Working Committee members, including former senators, members of the House of Representatives, commissioners, professors and Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
He framed the 2027 elections as a contest between those seeking to sustain the country’s progress and politicians who, in his view, wanted to return Nigeria to the economic difficulties of previous years.
The national secretary defended the removal of fuel subsidy, insisting that the government would not return to the former subsidy regime.
He also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), claiming that more than 1.4 million students had benefited from the initiative.
According to him, the programme covers tuition fees and provides beneficiaries with a monthly upkeep allowance of ₦20,000, offering financial support to students from less privileged backgrounds.
Basiru said the administration’s policies on education, foreign exchange and public finance demonstrated its commitment to economic reforms and expanding opportunities for Nigerians.
He urged the new members to remain committed to the party’s objectives and work towards its development agenda.
23 opposition candidates return to APC
Also speaking, Dr Princess Aslam Aliyu, founder of Babatinuubu Fisa Bililai 2027, said she had facilitated the return of 23 opposition candidates to the APC within two weeks.
Aliyu disclosed that 12 ADC House of Assembly candidates had returned to the ruling party about two weeks earlier, while another 11 candidates from the ADC and NDC were presented for acceptance.
She claimed that the candidacies of the 11 new entrants could be verified through the records and portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Describing the development as evidence of growing confidence in Tinubu’s leadership, Aliyu argued that the defections showed the APC remained attractive to politicians preparing for the 2027 elections.
She challenged opposition leaders to demonstrate comparable political influence, insisting that the return of the candidates represented a boost to the ruling party.
Aliyu subsequently presented the 11 candidates to the APC leadership for formal acceptance into the party.
