Nigeria’s political landscape has entered a fresh era of realignment as members of the PDP, SDP, Labour Party, and NNPP — including governors, lawmakers, and influential stakeholders — continue to cross over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
For the APC, each defection is celebrated as a strategic victory, a sign of growing momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections. Party leaders consistently reassure defectors with the familiar message: “You are welcome to APC. We are now one.”
But beyond the celebrations lie warnings from analysts who insist the ruling party might be sitting on a political time bomb.
Heavyweights, Paperweights, and Political Liabilities
Political watchers point out that the defectors come in different categories. Some join the APC by the strength of their name and reputation — genuine political heavyweights with real grassroots structures. These individuals bring numerical strength, visibility, and influence.
However, some defectors are mere “paperweights” — politicians whose influence is overstated and whose electoral value is minimal. Their presence boosts numbers but contributes little to political advantage.
More critically, analysts note that a few defectors are political liabilities, arriving with baggage from past controversies, poor performance records, or fragmented support bases. Instead of strengthening the party, such figures may complicate internal dynamics or dent APC’s public image.
A Clash of Ambition on the Road to 2027
Most defectors come with clear ambitions for 2027. Governorship hopefuls, senatorial aspirants, and seasoned political actors believe the ruling party offers them a better platform to pursue their goals.
But the APC’s founding members, who built the party from the ground up, also carry ambitions of their own.
A critical question emerges:
Who will step aside for whom?
Analysts warn that while the party leadership preaches unity, reconciling these competing ambitions during primaries may become a major challenge.
Victory or Political Adventure?
On the surface, the APC appears to be strengthening its structure ahead of 2027. But internally, the influx of new members introduces rivalry, mistrust, and factional tendencies that could trigger conflicts if not properly managed.
The celebration of defections may therefore be a double-edged sword:
a victory if harmonized effectively,
a political adventure if the ambitions and contradictions explode within the party.
Conclusion
As the ruling party continues to welcome defectors with open arms, the real test lies ahead. Whether APC emerges stronger or fractured will depend on how it balances loyalty, ambition, and reward among both old members and newcomers.
For now, the celebrations continue — but the political clock ticks toward 2027.
– Ibrahim Yahaya writes from Lokoja.
