Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajuddeen, has stated that more high-profile defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should be expected in the coming months.

According to Musa Abdullahi Krishi, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the number four citizen said thisat the North-West Zonal Stakeholders’ meeting of the party held in Kaduna, on Saturday.

Abbas said the defections being witnessed showed the growing confidence of Nigerians in the ruling party which he said has strengthened democracy within its fold.

He said since the 2023 general elections, the APC had secured governorships in 19 states and maintained the largest presence in both chambers of the National Assembly.

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He added that the momentum had been further bolstered by the recent defections of federal lawmakers from Kano, Osun, Kebbi, Delta, and Edo states, bringing the total number of defections in the house to 25.

He said: “Notably, at the gubernatorial level, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, have decamped to our party, and we anticipate many more high-profile defections in the coming months, reflecting the growing confidence of Nigerians in our party and President Tinubu. “Furthermore, we celebrate the APC’s victory in the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election, where Sen. Monday Okpebholo secured a decisive win for our party.

“Since the last National Working Committee meeting, our internal reforms have deepened democracy within the party, enhanced candidate selection processes, and strengthened grassroots structures. With these improvements, we have made significant strides regionally through targeted policy dialogues and development partnerships, revitalising our presence in Zamfara and Sokoto. Simultaneously, our accomplishments in the South-South have been reinforced by strategic realignments validated at the polls in Rivers and Bayelsa.”

The Speaker described the North-West geopolitical zone as a voting power bloc in Nigerian elections, saying it is “a decisive force in shaping electoral outcomes.”

He said: “It is essential to recognise that the North-West, as the zone with the largest voting bloc, boasting over 22 million registered voters according to INEC’s 2023 data, is not merely a peripheral actor but a decisive force in shaping electoral outcomes. This fact underscores the importance of our ongoing efforts and the need for continued engagement and collaboration across all regions.

“However, while acknowledging our substantial voter base, it’s imperative to understand that numbers alone will not assure victory. Discipline and unity hold the key. Past elections have exposed divisions that we cannot allow to resurface; now is the time for collaboration and shared aspirations. I urge everyone involved to remain committed to the party’s values, maintain internal harmony, and foster a united front.” (Weekend Trust)