APC Chairman Predicts More Governors’ Defections Ahead of 2027 Poll

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has expressed confidence that more state governors will join the ruling party before the 2027 general election.

Yilwatda made the remark on Tuesday during the 12th expanded stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where President Bola Tinubu was formally endorsed for re-election.

Represented by the APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Emma Eneukwu, the chairman said Tinubu’s performance in office has continued to attract opposition leaders to the APC.

“Our doors are still open. More governors are still moving into our party, more personalities are still moving in, senators, members of the House of Representatives, because of the calibre, integrity and the output of the person we made president,” Yilwatda stated.

Recent defections have bolstered the ruling party. The governors of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwore, and Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, both left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Dismissing opposition parties as inconsequential, Yilwatda likened the president to a lion unfazed by distractions.

“Other people are running around trying to challenge the president in the 2027 election, but of course you know, when you have a lion and other small animals are barking, the lion doesn’t even take notice of them; he goes about his duties properly,” he said.

The APC leadership has continued to intensify efforts to consolidate support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition, with party officials projecting further defections as the 2027 race gathers momentum.