• Defections won’t guarantee APC victory, says party chieftain

• APC denies forcing civil servants into e-registration

• Yilwatda: APC’s strength driven by grassroots support, not defections

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) steps up its pre-2027 recruitment drive, Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule’s move to woo Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has met resistance, with former Senate President Bukola Saraki rejecting the overture.

Sule yesterday called on his counterpart to consider joining the APC, saying his leadership style aligns with the values of the ruling party.

He made the appeal in Yola during the launch of a book chronicling Fintiri’s political journey and achievements in office.

Describing Fintiri as a tolerant and inclusive leader who relates well with both supporters and critics, Sule said such qualities reflect those of a progressive and transformative governor.

“My brother, you are working like a true progressive governor, and I dare say you have the APC in your DNA. We are on the same page with you,” Sule said.

He also highlighted the gains of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that reforms had boosted revenue generation for states and strengthened their capacity to deliver development projects.

“We, the current governors and local government chairmen, can attest that we have seen tremendous improvement in revenue as a result of the Renewed Hope reforms. We must thank Mr President for the reforms that have put more money in our hands,” he said.

Sule explained that his visit to Adamawa was part of ongoing engagements with governors across the country, including recent stops in Delta, Rivers, Enugu, Plateau, Taraba and Kano.

In a light-hearted moment, he brandished Tinubu’s trademark cap, joking about the possibility of Fintiri adopting a similar political posture and joining the APC fold, referencing the recent defection of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

“I have come with a cap just in case His Excellency is thinking of something similar. I can wear this cap on you and I think we can go ahead,” he said, drawing applause.

Sule stressed that effective leadership goes beyond popularity, emphasising consistency of purpose, patience, sincerity and the fear of God — qualities he said were evident in Fintiri’s public service record.

He added that the book launch showcased a leader genuinely committed to the welfare and progress of the people of Adamawa State.

HOWEVER, Saraki dismissed Governor Sule’s recruitment bid.

He said: “Chairman of the occasion (Governor Sule), who came with some caps (Tinubu’s caps), I’m sure you’ll be going back home with those caps. Our governor and his party are performing, and that’s why you’re trying to recruit us.”

Saraki defended the performance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa under Fintiri, saying the overture was driven by opposition success rather than the ruling party’s appeal.

Defections won’t guarantee APC victory in 2027, says party chieftain Bala Na’Allah

This came as a former Deputy Senate Majority Leader, Bala Na’Allah, played down the political impact of recent defections to the All Progressives Congress, saying they do not automatically translate into victory at the 2027 general elections.

Na’Allah, an APC chieftain, spoke yesterday during an interview on Sunrise Daily, amid growing attention on the influx of politicians into the ruling party.

His remarks followed reports of defections by several governors, including Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas.

According to Na’Allah, electoral success would depend more on governance and public persuasion than on the number of politicians crossing over to the APC.

“The APC has to work to seriously convince the people that whatever they are going through is reasonably necessary for the purpose of positioning the country for a greater future,” he said.

He added, “I can conveniently say that no party was formed and came with better intentions for Nigeria than the APC.”

Reflecting on the circumstances that led to the formation of the APC, Na’Allah recalled that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power at the time.

“Don’t forget that the ruling party then was PDP, and when APC came, we were very few members who believed that the trajectory of PDP over the years had not succeeded in giving Nigerians the comfort to say their country was in safe hands,” he said.

On the recent defections, Na’Allah stressed that the real test lay in performance at the state level.

“These defections are being made by people who hold authority in their various states. To a large extent, what they are able to do in their states will determine the followership,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Campaign for Equal Rights and Opportunities for all Nigerians (Campaign for Equal Rights and Opportunities for all Nigerians), CERON, has also warned that the wave of defections will not determine the outcome of the 2027 elections.

The group cautioned the APC against being overly confident, insisting that the growing list of defecting governors should not be mistaken for guaranteed electoral victory.

CERON made its position known in a statement issued yesterday by its secretary, Francis Odiir.

According to Odiir, the current movement of governors may have little impact on voting patterns in 2027, especially if the elections are free and fair.

“It is always normal for Nigerian politicians to jump ship midway into their tenure, usually for selfish reasons, as we are seeing today,” he said.

He added that politicians were underestimating the rising political awareness of Nigerians, noting that public consciousness had grown significantly.

Odiir argued that the defections were largely driven by the internal crisis within the PDP rather than genuine endorsement of the APC.

“The truth of the matter is that the movement of the governors, which is a function of the crisis in the PDP, does not mean that these governors love the APC. They are only running from a crumbling house to seek safe haven in uncertain times,” he said.

He maintained that only purposeful leadership and improved living conditions for Nigerians could guarantee electoral success, warning that widespread poverty, rising hardship and dissatisfaction with some government policies could shape the 2027 polls.

“People are simply not happy. There is anxiety in the land ahead of the 2027 elections due to widespread public dissatisfaction, particularly over economic hardship and the new tax law,” Odiir said.

APC denies forcing civil servants into e-registration

In a related development, the All Progressives Congress has dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that civil servants are being pressured to participate in its ongoing electronic membership registration exercise, insisting that enrolment is entirely voluntary.

In a statement yesterday, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the claims as “false and baseless”, saying they were aimed at discrediting what he called a successful digital registration drive.

He stressed that no government worker had been compelled to join the ruling party.

“The phenomenal turnout of Nigerians, including civil servants who voluntarily registered, proves that ADC’s coercion narrative is unfounded,” Morka said.

The APC’s response followed the disclosure last Friday that the e-registration exercise, which began in January, had already attracted more than seven million members nationwide, with the party targeting an additional five million supporters before the end of the process.

The registration period, initially scheduled to close on January 31, was extended to February 8, 2026, following what the party described as overwhelming public interest.

Morka also accused the ADC of previously circulating a fake “APC membership slip” allegedly linking a notorious terrorist to the party, describing the action as reckless and dangerous.

“The success of this exercise reflects growing confidence in the APC and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said, adding that portraying civil servants as victims of intimidation undermines their professionalism and constitutional rights.

The APC reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy, digital innovation and grassroots participation, insisting that the voluntary e-registration drive represents a milestone in modernising party membership and strengthening political engagement across the country.

Yilwatda: APC’s growing strength driven by grassroots support, reforms, not defections

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the ruling party’s expanding influence across the country is being driven by grassroots acceptance, inclusive governance and visible economic reforms — not merely by the defection of governors.

Yilwatda spoke during an interview on Daily Trust TV, where he addressed political developments, economic reforms, party discipline, security collaboration and preparations for upcoming elections.

According to him, the APC remains focused on national development and democratic consolidation.

“We are riding on a highway. We don’t take anyone for granted, and we pay attention to every detail,” he said.

While noting that media attention often centres on governors switching parties, Yilwatda argued that the real momentum lies in what he described as the mass movement of ordinary Nigerians — youths, farmers, women, professionals and artisans — who are aligning with the APC because of government policies.

“What is happening across the country goes far beyond governors. People are seeing value and the difference this administration is making,” he said.

He cited recent by-elections where the APC recorded strong performances even in states not governed by the party, adding that Kano State was steadily tilting towards the APC due to growing public enthusiasm.

Yilwatda pointed to economic gains under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying governors were now better positioned to deliver development following improved fiscal policies.

“Before now, workers went on strike, pensioners barricaded governors from their offices. Today, that era is gone,” he said.

He disclosed that trillions of naira are now shared monthly from the Federation Account, significantly boosting state revenues, in some cases by more than five times, and reducing dependence on borrowing.

Responding to claims that Nigeria was drifting towards a one-party state, the APC chairman dismissed the suggestion.

“Our legal framework does not support a one-party state, and APC will never promote that,” he said, adding that the party’s success was based on mobilisation and engagement, not suppression of opposition.

“It is not our duty to feed our opponents. We are everywhere, mobilising, engaging and organising.”

On inflation, Yilwatda said prices were on a downward trend, adding that World Bank projections show Nigeria as the only African country expected to contribute to global GDP growth this year.

He said APC-led governance prioritised responsiveness, noting that the government intervened when Nigerians complained about rising food prices and airline challenges.

Yilwatda also highlighted social intervention programmes, including the Student Loan Scheme, which he described as empowering children of the poor and market women, as well as financial support to more than seven million vulnerable households, with 75 per cent of beneficiaries in rural areas.

“These households are praying for this government,” he said.

The call comes amid a wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In 2025 alone, several sitting governors elected on the PDP platform crossed over to the ruling party, citing the need to align with the federal government for development and political stability.

They include Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who defected in April 2025 alongside former governor Ifeanyi Okowa; Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, who joined the APC in June 2025; and Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, who defected in October 2025.

Also in October 2025, Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri left the PDP, while Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara followed in December 2025.

Earlier defections in previous years included Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi, Cross River Governor Ben Ayade and Zamfara Governor Bello Matawalle.

The growing political realignment has weakened the PDP’s hold in several states, fuelling speculation that more governors may defect as the 2027 elections draw nearer.

Adamawa 2023 poll a setback for Nigeria’s democracy, says Fintiri

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has described the 2023 Adamawa governorship election as a major setback for Nigeria’s democratic process, citing treachery, moral compromise and coordinated attempts to subvert the will of the people.

Fintiri spoke yesterday in Yola at the unveiling of Fintiri: The Man They Could Not Stop, written by veteran journalist Solomon Kumangar.

He said the election exposed desperation among sections of the political elite.

“In 2023, we saw treachery, assault and the moral compromise of a bankrupt elite masked as patriots.

“The poll revealed coordinated attempts to undermine the will of the Adamawa people through electoral manipulation,” he said.

The governor noted that despite the challenges, the episode demonstrated the resilience of Adamawa citizens and supporters across the country.

He explained that the book focuses on the controversial 2023 governorship election, during which the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, prematurely declared the APC candidate, Aishatu Binani, the winner before the collation was completed.

Fintiri said the declaration was swiftly nullified by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s national headquarters.

He endorsed the book as the author’s account of events, adding that others were free to document alternative perspectives. Although he said he had not read the book, Fintiri described Kumangar as a skilled writer with deep insight, stressing that the 2023 election was not the end of the story.

The governor warned that individuals involved in electoral subversion remained active and continued to threaten Nigeria’s democracy.