A public affairs analyst, Donald Okwuosa, has warned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election prospects for 2027 could be severely impacted by the defection of several All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers to other political parties. According to Okwuosa, these defections may weaken the party's loyalty base and voter influence in upcoming elections.
Impact of Lawmaker Defections
Okwuosa stated that some federal lawmakers and aspirants have left the APC after losing primary elections. He explained that these defectors will take their followers and core loyalists with them to their new parties. In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, he emphasized that politics revolves around common interests, influence, synergy, and control.
“Politics is all about common interests, influence, synergy, and control. A tree cannot make a forest. Every party member, especially officers and candidates, are potential influencers. Those lawmakers and others have followers and core loyalists; once they defect, they go with their followers and loyalists. To be honest, Tinubu alone didn't put himself in power; party members worked hard to push him up there,” Okwuosa said.
Risk of Internal Sabotage
The analyst warned that aggrieved members who remain in the APC might work against their own party's candidates in the 2027 election. He urged President Tinubu to act quickly to restore hope among Nigerians and keep his re-election bid alive.
“Tinubu needs massive votes from the north to make up for his loss down south. The South is 60% Obidient. With the current killings in Oyo and Kwara, the Southwest is losing faith in Tinubu. He needs to act fast to restore hope,” Okwuosa added.
Recent Defections
Notably, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege left the APC after losing the senatorial primary in Delta State and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He will contest the Delta Central senatorial ticket under the NDC. His defection followed the loss of the APC ticket to Senator Ede Dafinone, who was backed by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Additionally, former Delta State House of Assembly Speaker Victor Ochei announced his resignation from the APC ahead of the 2027 elections. In a letter to the Ward 4 chairman of the APC in Onicha Olona, Aniocha LGA, he cited personal reasons. Many of his supporters welcomed the move.
These developments highlight growing internal challenges within the APC as the 2027 elections approach, with analysts warning that without strategic interventions, the party's hold on power could be at risk.
