Defections Surge as Tinubu’s APC Gains 12 Senators and Reps

President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) is witnessing a powerful wave of defections as 12 senators and members of the House of Representatives from opposition parties commit to the ruling party. This political shift prominently involves lawmakers from Akwa Ibom State, alongside senators from Edo and Nasarawa, signaling a strategic consolidation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ten National Assembly members from Akwa Ibom, initially elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Young Peoples Party (YPP), have pledged allegiance to the APC, following Governor Umo Eno’s recent defection. Senators Ekong Sampson and Aniekan Bassey, along with eight House members including Okpolupm Etteh and Paul Asuquo, are among those defecting. Emmanuel Ukpongudo of the YPP is also joining the APC.

Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), confirmed the defections and noted that almost all Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly members are expected to defect as well, with only a few hesitant lawmakers being persuaded.

Governor Eno’s defection was driven by his desire to align Akwa Ibom with the federal government’s agenda. “I have decided to progressively move to the APC. Our government has always been an inclusive government, which will never change,” he said during a public address in Uyo.

In Edo State, Senator Neda Imasuen of the Labour Party announced plans to defect to the APC on June 12, citing internal disarray within the Labour Party and the need to better align Edo South with federal priorities.

Senator Ahmed Wadada from Nasarawa West, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), is also set to join the APC due to “irreconcilable differences” with former Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai, whose recent defection to the SDP has caused controversy. Wadada criticized the SDP’s ideological inconsistency and personal ambitions overriding collective interests.

The APC is also courting four PDP governors from Adamawa, Plateau, Osun, and Bayelsa states, with ongoing discussions to bring them into the party. Dr. Arodiogbu dismissed allegations of inducement, attributing the defections to the success of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Meanwhile, PDP officials in Bauchi, Taraba, and Zamfara states reaffirmed their loyalty to the party despite the defections. Bauchi PDP Publicity Secretary Dayyabu Ciroma described Eno’s defection as a betrayal, while Taraba PDP Chairman Alhaji Abubakar Bawa dismissed rumors about Governor Agbu Kefas defecting. Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal’s media aide Mustafa Kaura reiterated his principal’s commitment to the PDP.

With the APC now controlling 23 states and the PDP 10, the political landscape is rapidly evolving ahead of the 2027 elections under President Tinubu’s leadership.