The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has expressed confidence that more governors and lawmakers will defect to the ruling party as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 9, at the APC’s 12th Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting in Bayelsa State, where President Bola Tinubu was endorsed as the party’s sole candidate for the next election, Yilwatda said the president’s performance in office was steadily attracting support from across the political divide.
Represented by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, the APC leader explained that Tinubu’s leadership style and record in governance were winning over influential politicians from the opposition.
“More governors and lawmakers are still on their way to our party because of the calibre, integrity, and achievements of the president.
“Our doors are wide open to accommodate those willing to join hands with us to move Nigeria forward,” he stated.
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He pointed to the recent defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno from the PDP to the APC as evidence of the growing momentum.
Yilwatda urged members of the party in Bayelsa to prioritise unity and discipline, noting that internal divisions could undermine the party’s chances of success in 2027.
“Other parties may make noise, but when you have a lion, it does not bother about barking dogs—it focuses on its mission.
“That is what President Tinubu is doing: taking the bull by the horns where others lacked the political will,” he said.
He also noted that the South-South region had shown “political maturity” by shifting its support to the APC, while leaders from the South-East were beginning to make similar choices in favour of the president’s vision for Nigeria.