The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has boasted of wooing at least five more governors to its camp amid a wave of defections by opposition bigwigs, federal lawmakers, and endorsements for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.”

The move comes in the wake of Friday’s resignation of the immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

The revelation, made in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH by APC National Vice Chairman (South East), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, signalled a deepening crack within the opposition bloc and raised fresh concerns over its ability to mount a formidable challenge against Tinubu’s re-election bid.

According to Arodiogbu, the defections were not speculative — they were imminent.

“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 stated.

The development follows recent high-profile realignments, including the dramatic defection of Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, who crossed over to the APC along with lawmakers and the entire PDP structure in the state.

In a similarly seismic shift, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; former governor and Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, and federal and state lawmakers, also joined the ruling party in April — sending shockwaves through the opposition.

In a further twist, Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo of All Progressives Grand Alliance publicly threw his weight behind Tinubu’s second-term ambition, even as speculations swirl that heavyweights in the New Nigeria People’s Party, including former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso; Governor Abba Yusuf, and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, may be offering quiet support to the President’s 2027 project.

These defections and endorsements have unsettled opposition strongmen, particularly former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, who were reportedly in talks to form a mega alliance to unseat the incumbent.

But Arodiogbu waved off such efforts from the coalition as inconsequential.

“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.

Arodiogbu revealed that discussions were ongoing with multiple governors across geopolitical zones, including in the traditionally opposition-leaning South-East.

He hinted at negotiations with Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri and Rivers State leadership, though he was less committal on the position of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

“Of course, Bayelsa is in the picture — that’s why I mentioned it. On Adeleke, I can’t give a definitive answer, but I know he has made moves.

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“We’re not ruling out Governor Alex Otti of Abia or the Enugu State governor either,” he said, adding that Anambra would be a key prize in 2027.

On Anambra politics, Arodiogbu, however, had strong words for Soludo.

Amid rumours that the Presidency had struck a deal with Soludo for 2027, he issued a denial.

“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 said.

He dismissed Soludo’s political relevance in stark terms, suggesting that the Anambra governor was clinging to power through symbolic endorsements rather than grassroots support.

“Soludo is no longer popular. He has spent two years in public fights with traditional rulers, church leaders, and market unions. Now, he’s scrambling for endorsements from the same people he antagonised,” he claimed.

He pointed to Ukachukwu’s long-standing political experience as a more credible alternative.

“Soludo wasn’t even known in politics when Ukachukwu was already winning elections. We are confident Anambra will go APC in 2027.”

Adeleke stirs APC

Despite Arodiogbu’s hints, the political calculus in Osun may not be so straightforward. Stakeholders within the Osun APC are reportedly resistant to welcoming Adeleke into the fold.

“There are strong interests within Osun APC who are not open to Adeleke joining. Otherwise, he would have done so already,” the source said.

Former Governor Gboyega Oyetola — now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy — and APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, are both eyeing the party’s 2026 gubernatorial ticket, complicating any potential Adeleke crossover.

When contacted, Basiru downplayed the speculation.

“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. (The PUNCH)

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