THE National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared that more governors across Nigeria will defect to the ruling party before the 2027 general elections.
News Point Nigeria reports that Yilwatda, represented by APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, made the disclosure on Tuesday during the party’s 12th expanded stakeholders’ meeting in Bayelsa State, where members also endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election.
According to him, Tinubu’s record of bold reforms and strong leadership is convincing opposition leaders to abandon their parties and join the APC.
Yilwatda pointed out that the APC has already welcomed key defections, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwore of Delta State and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, both of whom left the PDP to align with the President.
“Our doors are still open,” Yilwatda said. “More governors are moving into our party, more senators and members of the House of Representatives are crossing over because of the caliber, integrity, and results of the president we produced.”
In a fiery address, Yilwatda dismissed opposition attempts to challenge Tinubu in 2027, comparing the President to a lion surrounded by “barking small animals.”
“Other people may run around trying to challenge the president in 2027, but when you have a lion and small animals are barking, the lion doesn’t notice them. He continues his duties properly—that is what President Tinubu is doing.”
He added that despite criticism, Tinubu’s policies enjoy overwhelming support:
“It is expected that dogs will bark, it is expected that the opposition will rise, but we have a product that even a blind man in this country will support.”
Yilwatda commended the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones, claiming that governors in these regions were already moving into the APC because they recognize Tinubu’s character and vision.
“They are leaving their parties to support Mr. President in 2027 so that governance will be easier,” he noted. “This president takes the bull by the horn and achieves results where others lack the political will.”
Also speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting, former Bayelsa State Governor Chief Timipre Sylva declared that the party in the state is “very united” and ready to deliver an overwhelming victory in 2027.
The meeting ended with a call for party members in Bayelsa and beyond to work in unity, with Yilwatda stressing that “only together can the APC ensure Nigeria is taken to greater heights under President Tinubu’s leadership.”