The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is in advanced talks with at least five state governors from opposition parties who may soon defect to its fold, further bolstering support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The claim comes just days after the resignation of former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and amid a wave of high-profile defections and endorsements in favour of Tinubu.
Speaking in an interview with Punch, APC National Vice Chairman (South East), Ijeoma Arodiogbu, revealed that governors from Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, Kano, and either Abia or Enugu are set to join the ruling party.
“We are talking about governors from Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, Kano, either Abia or Enugu. In the next two months, you will see them join us officially,” he declared.
The APC’s growing confidence follows recent defections, including the dramatic crossover of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, who reportedly defected alongside lawmakers and PDP structures in the state.
In April, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, also the PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, dumped the opposition to align with the APC. Several state and federal lawmakers joined them.
Also, Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), threw his support behind Tinubu’s second-term ambition, further fuelling speculations of a potential realignment.
“Opposition Coalition Is Just Noise” — APC Chieftain
Reacting to talks of a mega opposition alliance between Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and others, Arodiogbu dismissed the idea as a media stunt.
“This idea of forming a so-called opposition coalition is nothing but a media stunt. These politicians just want to keep their names in the headlines. But Nigerians are aligning with a party that is delivering, and that is the APC,” he said.
He further confirmed that discussions were ongoing with South-East governors, including Alex Otti of Abia State and the Governor of Enugu State, noting that the APC was working hard to flip states previously held by the opposition.
“Bayelsa is in the picture. On Adeleke, I can’t give a definitive answer, but I know he has made moves,” Arodiogbu said.
Amid reports of a pact between Tinubu and Soludo, Arodiogbu denied any plan by the President to back the Anambra governor in 2027.
He said, “There is no arrangement to back Soludo. President Tinubu has not endorsed him. In fact, after he visited Anambra to inaugurate the Emeka Anyaoku Centre, we presented our candidate, [Nicholas] Ukachukwu, to the President. He told us to go and win the state.”
Arodiogbu accused Soludo of losing grassroots support, claiming he has alienated traditional rulers, church leaders, and market unions.
“Soludo is no longer popular. Now, he’s scrambling for endorsements from the same people he antagonised,” he added.
He positioned Ukachukwu, a veteran politician, as a more credible contender, saying, “Soludo wasn’t even known in politics when Ukachukwu was already winning elections. We are confident Anambra will go APC in 2027.”
While Arodiogbu hinted at possible talks with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, internal APC sources told Punch that the governor’s crossover may not be straightforward.
The source said, “There are strong interests within Osun APC who are not open to Adeleke joining. Otherwise, he would have done so already.”
Former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, are reportedly eyeing the 2026 gubernatorial ticket, a development that may complicate Adeleke’s potential defection.
When contacted, Basiru declined to confirm any formal overtures from Adeleke.
“To the best of my knowledge, Governor Adeleke has not applied to join the APC. So I can’t comment on what is still speculation,” he said.