How We Plan to Prevent Internal Implosion — APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has put internal mechanisms in place to manage its recent wave of defections and prevent internal crisis ahead of the 2027 general election.

The ruling party has recorded a steady inflow of governors, federal lawmakers and other senior opposition figures over the past two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, significantly expanding its political base at both federal and state levels.

Several governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have joined the APC. They include Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba. There are also indications that Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State may defect from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the APC.

At the National Assembly, the party has gained dozens of lawmakers from opposition parties. At least 50 members of the House of Representatives have defected from the PDP, Labour Party (LP), NNPP and Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the APC.

Among the defectors are lawmakers from Delta, Akwa Ibom, Osun, Edo, Kano, Enugu, Plateau and Rivers states. In Rivers alone, four House members recently left their parties to join the APC, while six PDP lawmakers made the same move during the December 23, 2025 plenary.

In the Senate, the APC now holds 78 of the 109 seats, leaving the opposition with 31. Senators who defected to the party include Barinada Mpigi and Ipalibo Banigo Onyesoh from Rivers, Benson Konbowei and Benson Agadaga from Bayelsa, Sunday Katung from Kaduna, and Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi and Garba Maidoki from Kebbi, among others.

The growing dominance of the APC has raised concerns among political observers about possible internal strain, especially as new entrants with strong political ambitions integrate into existing party structures. Some analysts have drawn parallels with the PDP’s experience during its years in power, when internal competition after mass defections contributed to splits and eventual losses.

Others have pointed to the APC’s own history, noting that senior figures such as governors and National Assembly leaders left the party ahead of the 2019 elections following internal disagreements.

Responding to these concerns, the APC said it is prepared to manage its expanding membership without destabilising the party.

Speaking to *LEADERSHIP*, the APC Director of Publicity, Yusuf Bala Ibrahim, said the party would rely on strict adherence to its constitution and internal rules to maintain order.

He said while the party has not decided whether defecting governors and lawmakers would receive automatic tickets, all members would be given equal opportunities regardless of when they joined.

According to Ibrahim, the leadership of President Tinubu and the work of the Progressive Institute would play key roles in guiding the party through the transition.

He said the APC anticipated the challenges that come with rapid expansion and had taken steps to adjust its internal arrangements to accommodate new members without undermining stability.

Ibrahim stressed that defectors are expected to align with the party’s rules and culture, adding that no member would be allowed to act in a way that threatens cohesion.

He also said the party’s recent preference for consensus-building has reduced internal disputes during elections and would continue to shape preparations for 2027.

Another senior party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the APC’s decision to hold ward, local government and state congresses next year was aimed at giving both old and new members a stake in party structures.

According to the source, this approach is intended to ensure that defecting governors and their supporters are represented in party leadership at different levels, thereby reducing grievances ahead of primaries.

The APC has fixed March 28, 2026, for its National Convention. Zonal congresses are scheduled for March 21, 2026, while state congresses will hold on March 7. Ward and local government congresses are slated for February 18 and 20, 2026, respectively.

Party leaders say these processes are designed to strengthen internal balance and position the APC for stability as it prepares for the 2027 elections.