Governors Pause on Odds-Defying APC Switch Amid Internal Party Stability Efforts
Political leaders, including Mbah, Adeleke, and Alex Otti, have momentarily put their plans for defection on hold, as the opposition ponders over potential shifts toward the APC.
A wave of gossip swirled around opposition leaders rumored to be edging towards a join-up with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). However, a rethink has been seen in notable figures such as Peter Mbah (Enugu), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Alex Otti (Abia), who have signaled no immediate plans to abandon their parties due to solidifying political bases and ideological misalignments with the APC.
Leaders' Comments
In Enugu, insiders divulged that Governor Mbah's earlier proclivity to defect pale in comparison to the Labour Party's (LP) waning influence and the resurgence of PDP support. "The LP's sway has weakened significantly. With the influx of its members into the PDP, Mbah's second term seems all but guaranteed," a political aide confirmed.
Governor Lawal of Zamfara refuted departure speculation through his Media Special Assistant, Mustafa Kaura, stating, "The governor holds no intention of joining any other party. He is staying with the PDP."
On the Plateau, PDP stalwart Dachung Bagos reiterated Governor Mutfwang's intentions would not shift to the APC due to "apparent ideological disparities."
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, during a PDP strategy meeting, dismissed rumors of potential defection as "fake news." "I am not defecting to APC or any other political party. I remain in PDP," Adeleke declared.
Abia Governor Alex Otti spoke candidly on Arise TV, reaffirming he saw no valid reason to abandon the LP. "I'm grateful I entered politics under the LP. There's no justification to change ships," he expressed, while acknowledging future political decisions would be left to divine guidance.
Defying APC's One-Party Ambition
The National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, branded the defections as escapist maneuvers and warned that they would not guarantee the APC's success in 2027 if the country's hardships persist. "The idea of turning Nigeria into a one-party state is a daydream. If the situation fails to improve, Nigerians will cavort with the APC," he cautioned.
The Labour Party's spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, attributed the departure trend to fragile political structures and a dose of opportunism.
In stark criticism, Sonny Adenuga, National Chairman of the Because Of Our Tomorrow Party, contended, "Tinubu may appear politically powerful not due to performance, but because the PDP has failed to offer a credible alternative."
Adenuga predicted a future 'phoenix rising' political force independent of the major parties before 2027.
Similarly, the SDP's National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, accused the PDP and APC of providing indistinguishable instances of poor governance, declaring, "Nigeria is progressing towards becoming a bipartisan state of the APC and the SDP."
Agunloye emphasized the need for unity among opposition forces to counterbalance the APC's expanding influence.
- Despite the rumors of some opposition leaders considering a switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC), governors such as Peter Mbah (Enugu), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Alex Otti (Abia) have shown no signs of immediate defection.
- In the case of Governor Mbah of Enugu, his potential switch to the Labour Party (LP) seems less likely due to the LP's declining influence and the renewed support for the PDP.
- Governor Lawal of Zamfara has publicly denied any plans to join another party, asserting his commitment to the PDP.
- Governor Mutfwang's (Plateau) ideological alignment with the PDP will reportedly prevent him from defecting to the APC.
- During a PDP strategy meeting, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has dismissed rumors of his potential defection to the APC or any other party.
- Abia Governor Alex Otti, in an interview on Arise TV, expressed gratitude for entering politics under the LP and saw no reason to change parties.
- The National Chairman of the Because Of Our Tomorrow Party, Sonny Adenuga, believes that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu's political power is not based on performance but the PDP's failure to offer a credible alternative.
- The SDP's National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, accuses both the PDP and APC of providing poor governance that is indistinguishable from each other, predicting a future political force independent of the major parties before 2027 and emphasizing the need for unity among opposition forces to counterbalance the APC's expanding influence.
