The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has expressed confidence that more state governors will defect to the ruling party before the 2027 general elections, strengthening President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Yilwatda made the remarks on Tuesday at the 12th Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting of the APC in Bayelsa State, where party leaders unanimously endorsed Tinubu as their sole presidential candidate for the next election cycle.
Represented by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, the APC chairman said Tinubu’s performance in office was attracting prominent political figures, including governors and senators, from opposition parties.
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“More governors and lawmakers are still on their way to our party because of the calibre, integrity, and achievements of the president. Our doors are wide open to accommodate those willing to join hands with us to move Nigeria forward,” he stated.
Yilwatda cited the recent defections of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno as evidence of Tinubu’s growing political influence across the country.
He urged party members in Bayelsa to embrace unity, noting that collective effort was crucial to securing victory in 2027.
“Other parties may make noise, but when you have a lion, it does not bother about barking dogs—it focuses on its mission. That is what President Tinubu is doing: taking the bull by the horns where others lacked the political will,” Yilwatda said.
The APC chairman also commended political leaders in the South-South and South-East for what he described as “realistic decisions” to leave opposition parties and rally behind the president.
“From the South-South to the South-East, leaders are aligning with the APC because they have seen the president’s determination to take Nigeria to greater heights,” he added.