Wave of Defections Hits Opposition as APC Strengthens Grip Ahead of 2027 Elections

Nigeria’s political landscape is witnessing a significant realignment as a growing number of opposition leaders and lawmakers defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), raising concerns about the future of multi-party democracy in the country.

Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in May 2023, the APC has steadily consolidated its power, gaining ground in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Initially, the APC held 59 seats in the Senate and 175 in the House of Representatives, with the opposition parties controlling the remainder. However, in the months that followed, at least six senators and 24 House members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have defected to the APC, giving the ruling party an estimated 265 seats across both chambers.

The defections are not limited to the National Assembly. On April 23, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori led his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa and the entire PDP structure in the state to pledge allegiance to the APC. This followed a similar move on March 12, when four members of the Edo State House of Assembly abandoned the PDP and LP for the ruling party.

Political insiders say the trend is part of a broader strategy by the APC to weaken opposition strongholds ahead of the 2027 general elections. A PDP stakeholder, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the APC is intensifying efforts to lure governors and lawmakers from northern states such as Adamawa and Zamfara. According to him, the party is using a combination of incentives and promises, including assurances of automatic tickets for re-election, to entice defections.

“There is serious pressure on governors in Kano, Akwa Ibom, Zamfara, and Plateau to join the APC before the year ends,” the source said. “The aim is to take over as many states as possible before the party primaries next year.”

He added that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is reportedly facing pressure to either defect or publicly endorse President Bola Tinubu for re-election, similar to recent developments in Anambra.

The widening cracks within the PDP are also linked to internal frustrations with former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. Some governors are said to be unhappy with Atiku’s continued influence within the party, blaming him for the party’s loss in the 2023 elections.

The next National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the PDP, scheduled for May 27, is seen as a critical juncture that could determine whether the party can rally its members or continue to lose ground.

Amid these developments, concerns are mounting that Nigeria may be drifting toward a one-party state. APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje recently stoked the debate after he suggested that there was “nothing wrong” with such a scenario. Speaking after receiving three defecting senators from Kebbi State, Ganduje said, “A one-party state is not by force; it is by negotiation… by other political parties seeing the effect of the positive governance of our party.”

Critics argue that such rhetoric undermines democratic principles. Political analyst James Agaba warned that Ganduje’s comments reflect a dangerous trend. “That is power intoxication. If there is no opposition, we’ll only end up with autocratic leaders who do only what they want,” Agaba said. “The beauty of democracy is in having a strong opposition to keep the ruling party in check.”

Although the presidency has previously denied pursuing a one-party agenda, the current wave of defections and political maneuvering has sparked renewed fears over democratic backsliding as the 2027 elections approach.