THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has predicted more defections of high-profile opposition figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress in the months ahead.
This, the Speaker said, is an indication of the growing confidence Nigerians have in the ruling party.
The APC recently welcomed prominent opposition members into its fold, including the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire Peoples Democratic Party structure in the state.
Opposition federal lawmakers drawn largely from the PDP and the Labour Party have recently joined the APC, citing internal crisis in their former political platforms.
Abbas disclosed this in Kaduna on Saturday at the North-West Zonal Stakeholders Meeting of the party.
He said, since the 2023 general elections, the APC has secured governorships in 19 states and maintains the largest presence in both chambers of the National Assembly.
According to him, the momentum has been further bolstered by the recent defections of federal lawmakers from Kano, Osun, Kebbi, Delta, and Edo states, bringing the total number of defections in the House to 25.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Speaker, Musa Krishi quoted Abbas as saying, “At the gubernatorial level, Governor 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.
“Furthermore, we celebrate the APC’s victory in the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election, where Sen 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.”
The speaker described the North-West geopolitical zone as a voting power bloc in Nigerian elections, adding that it is “a decisive force in shaping electoral outcomes.”
He said, “It is essential to recognise that the North-West, as the zone with the largest voting bloc, boasting over 22m registered voters according to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s 2023 data, is not merely a peripheral actor but 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.
“However, while acknowledging our substantial voter base, it’s imperative to understand that numbers alone will not assure victory. Discipline and unity hold the key. Past elections have exposed divisions that we cannot allow to resurface; now is the time for collaboration and shared aspirations. I urge everyone involved to remain committed to the party’s values, maintain internal harmony, and foster a united front.”
He called for decisive action to address the challenges in the North-West, including rising insecurity and reduced agricultural productivity.
The Speaker proposed the establishment of a zonal coordination platform that unites lawmakers, governors, and experts to identify priority areas and discuss the most effective ways for the government to address them.
“This approach is essential for securing significant federal attention and ensuring that the needs of our region are effectively met,” he said.
Abbas said in light of these pressing concerns, it becomes clear that the party’s success in the North-West “Will ultimately depend on our ability to ensure these issues are systematically addressed.”
He said the zone must continue to integrate and involve more young people and women in the party, as they comprise a significant portion of the population.
“Their involvement is crucial for achieving future political success,” he said.