Speaking on Saturday at the APC north-west zonal stakeholders meeting in Kaduna, Abbas said the recent defections into the ruling party shows confidence in President Bola Tinubu.

Several politicians, including national assembly members, have joined the APC in recent months.

“Notably, at the gubernatorial level, 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,” Abbas said.

“Furthermore, we celebrate the APC’s victory in the 2024 Edo state gubernatorial election, where senator 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.”

Abbas urged party members in the north-west geopolitical zone to be united ahead of the 2027 elections.

Citing data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abbas said the north-west has over 22 million registered voters, adding that the geopolitical zone is 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,” he said.

Abbas asked party members in the zone to intensify grassroots mobilisation, especially youths and women, through empowerment programmes.