Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has predicted a surge of high-profile defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming months. Abbas attributes this trend to increasing public confidence in the APC. He made these remarks during the APC North-West Zonal stakeholders’ meeting held in Kaduna. Abbas highlighted that the APC has recently welcomed prominent opposition figures, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and their entire PDP political structure. He noted that numerous federal lawmakers, primarily from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, have also crossed over to the APC, citing internal crises within their former parties as a major reason.

Abbas stated that these developments reflect the growing appeal of the APC under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu. Since the 2023 general elections, the APC has secured governorships in 19 states and holds the majority in both chambers of the National Assembly. Recent defections from lawmakers across Kano, Osun, Kebbi, Delta, and Edo States have brought the total number of defectors in the House to 25. Abbas emphasized the growing trust Nigerians have in the APC and President Tinubu’s leadership, celebrating the APC’s recent victory in the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election, where Senator Monday Okpebholo emerged victorious.

Abbas noted that internal reforms within the APC have strengthened internal democracy, improved candidate selection, and bolstered grassroots structures. He also noted that these reforms have led to significant regional gains through strategic policy engagement and development partnerships, revitalizing the party’s presence in Zamfara and Sokoto, and consolidating its standing in the South-South, demonstrated by recent electoral successes in Rivers and Bayelsa.

Abbas emphasized the importance of the North-West geopolitical zone, describing it as a key electoral stronghold and a major influence in determining national elections. He noted the North-West has the largest voting bloc, with over 22 million registered voters, making it a decisive force in shaping electoral outcomes. He stressed the importance of sustained engagement and collaboration across all regions to solidify the APC’s growing influence.

Abbas cautioned that while the party boasts a substantial voter base, numbers alone are not enough to guarantee electoral success. He emphasized the need for discipline and unity, urging all stakeholders to remain true to the party’s core values, promote internal cohesion, and present a united front. He also highlighted the urgent challenges facing the North-West, including rising insecurity and declining agricultural productivity.

To address these issues, Abbas proposed creating a zonal coordination platform that brings together lawmakers, governors, and policy experts to identify priority areas and formulate strategic responses. He stressed that the APC’s future success in the North-West will depend heavily on its ability to systematically address these challenges and 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.

Meanwhile, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has refuted claims of reaching an agreement with anyone regarding defecting to the APC or any other political party. Kwankwaso dismissed the rumors as false and a product of political mischief. He stated that he has refrained from commenting on contemporary political events and will continue to do so. Kwankwaso urged the public to only engage statements from his public handles and other official sources.

Ibrahim Rabiu, the author of the purported statement linking Kwankwaso to a potential defection, has since denounced the statement as a work of the devil and apologized to Kwankwaso, stating that he was never authorized to issue such a statement and was misled by fake news and agents of misinformation.