The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has declared that more governors from opposition parties are expected to defect to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ganduje made this bold prediction on Thursday while formally welcoming new defectors from the Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Grassroots Parrot reports.
Leading the latest batch of defectors was Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South in the Senate. Ganduje received the group during a high-level meeting at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
Among the high-profile defectors were Hon. Kabiru Alhasan Rurum, member representing Rano/Kibiya Federal Constituency; Hon. Abdullahi Sani Rogo; Hon. Zubairu Hamza Massu, a member of the Kano State House of Assembly; Dr. Baffa Bichi, former Secretary to the Kano State Government; and several former commissioners and lawmakers, including Hon. Mohd Digol, Hon. Abbas S. Abbas, Hon. Sha’aban Ibrahim Lawal, Hon. Badamasi Ayuba Danbatta, and Hon. Idris Dankuwa.
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Addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting, Ganduje expressed strong confidence in APC’s growing momentum, noting that the party was strategically positioning itself to dominate the 2027 polls.
“We believe in President Bola Tinubu, in his economic reforms, and in the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Ganduje stated. “Part of that political renewed hope is expanding our followership, and we are achieving that through advocacy, dialogue, and by convincing key political leaders to join us.”
Ganduje highlighted recent successes, including the defection of Delta State’s governor, his cabinet, members of the State Assembly, and even a former PDP vice presidential candidate to the APC.
“I don’t want to reveal our secret, but what I’m telling you is that APC 2027 is a done deal. More governors are coming into APC, I assure you. And in places where elections are coming, Insha Allah, APC will win,” he said confidently.
Speaking on behalf of the new entrants, Senator Sumaila described the movement as a convergence of like-minds within Kano’s NNPP bloc. He pointed to his previous electoral performance against NNPP leader Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso as evidence of his grassroots strength.
“I refer you to the 2023 general election results — presidential, senatorial, House of Reps — all held the same day. Go and check our polling unit performance. Compare my results with Kwankwaso’s, and the difference will tell you why this move is impactful for APC,” Sumaila asserted.