Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker of the House of Representatives, has forecast a surge of high-profile opposition party defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming months, citing growing public trust in the party as the reason.
During the APC North-West Zonal stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna on Saturday, Abbas made the assertion.
He pointed out that a number of well-known opposition leaders, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire Delta State PDP political apparatus, had lately joined the APC.
He went on to say that several federal politicians, mostly from the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had also defected to the APC, with many pointing to internal conflicts within their previous organisations.
Abbas claims that these changes demonstrate the APC’s increasing popularity under President Bola Tinubu’s direction.
The Speaker emphasised that the APC now has the majority in both houses of the National Assembly and has won governorships in 19 states since the general elections in 2023.
He said that there are now 25 defectors in the House as a result of recent departures from members in the states of Kano, Osun, Kebbi, Delta, and Edo.
A statement issued by his Special Adviser, Musa Krishi, quoted Abbas as saying: “At the gubernatorial level, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, have joined our party. We expect many more high-profile defections in the near future, further reflecting the growing trust Nigerians have in our party and in President Tinubu’s leadership.”
Abbas also praised the APC’s recent win in the Edo State gubernatorial election of 2024, in which Senator Monday Okpebholo prevailed.
He underlined that the APC’s internal reforms had improved candidate selection, enhanced grassroots organisations, and increased internal democracy.
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“These reforms have led to significant regional gains through strategic policy engagement and development partnerships.
“We have revitalized our presence in Zamfara and Sokoto and consolidated our standing in the South-South, as demonstrated by recent electoral successes in Rivers and Bayelsa,” he said.
He reaffirmed the significance of the North-West geopolitical zone in his closing remarks, characterising it as a crucial electoral bastion and a significant factor in deciding the results of national elections.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s 2023 statistics, the North-West has the largest voting bloc with over 22 million registered voters, making it not only a supporting player but a key factor in determining election results, he added.
In order to cement the APC’s expanding impact, Abbas underlined the vital need of consistent participation and cooperation across all areas.
However, he issued a warning that even if the party has a sizable support base, electoral victory cannot be assured by sheer numbers.
“Discipline and unity are essential,” he said, adding that “past elections have revealed internal divisions we cannot afford to repeat. This is a time for collaboration and a shared vision. I urge all stakeholders to remain true to the party’s core values, promote internal cohesion, and present a united front.”
Abbas also highlighted the urgent challenges facing the North-West, including rising insecurity and declining agricultural productivity.
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To address those issues, he proposed the creation of a zonal coordination platform bringing together lawmakers, governors, and policy experts to identify priority areas and formulate strategic responses.
“This collaborative model is vital to attract meaningful federal support and ensure that the region’s pressing needs are met effectively,” he noted.
He stressed that the APC’s future success in the North-West will depend heavily on its ability to systematically address these challenges.
Furthermore, Abbas called for greater inclusion of young people and women in the party’s activities, emphasizing their vital role in shaping the region’s political future.
“Their active participation is key to securing long-term success,” he added.
