Senate President Godswill Akpabio has forecasted an imminent wave of defections, with several opposition state governors preparing to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the 2027 presidential and general elections approach. Akpabio emphasized that the growing success of the Tinubu administration’s policies is attracting these governors, who now recognize the tangible benefits these reforms offer to their states.
This statement was made during a goodwill address in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, on Tuesday. The occasion marked the launch of Ten Years of Impactful Leadership of the APC Administration in Nigeria, a book written by Governor Hope Uzodimma. The event also featured the commissioning of key infrastructure projects overseen by President Tinubu. Uzodimma’s book traces the APC’s journey since its formation in 2013, highlighting key milestones in governance, with particular focus on infrastructural development, economic growth, and social welfare under APC-led administrations.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Akpabio directly addressed President Tinubu, stating: “Mr. President, with what you have done in the last two years, get ready to receive more governors from opposition parties. As I speak, there are several governors in Nigeria today ready to be received by you.”
Akpabio’s statement signals not just a growing shift in political allegiance but also a strategic positioning for the 2027 elections. He stressed that the reforms rolled out by the Tinubu administration since May 2023 are beginning to yield measurable results. Key sectors such as education, agriculture, and business have shown marked improvements, according to Akpabio, with many beneficiaries of these reforms now openly praising the government’s efforts.
“Students, farmers, and businessmen are speaking on the various reforms you have brought into governance which are now in the overall interest of the people. If we say it, they will accuse us of rubber-stamping your achievements, but the beneficiaries are the ones testifying to what you have done,” Akpabio added.
The early results of the administration’s reforms are also reflected in Nigeria’s economic performance. In the first half of 2025, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.46%, slightly lower than the 3.5% growth recorded during the same period in 2024. However, in the second quarter of 2025, GDP growth accelerated to 4.23%, marking the fastest expansion in four years. This is seen as a resilient recovery following the economic shocks caused by major reforms such as the fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification.
Government-led initiatives like the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme have played a critical role in supporting smallholder farmers. Since its inception in 2015, the program has disbursed over N1.3 trillion, benefitting over 5 million farmers and contributing to a 2.5 million metric tonnes increase in annual rice production.
In the education sector, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, established in 2024, has approved loans for 1.2 million undergraduates, supporting their tuition and living costs with an average loan amount of N500,000 per beneficiary.
Further, Nigeria has witnessed a significant increase in foreign direct investment (FDI), which rose by 15% in 2024, resulting in a surplus of $6.83 billion, compared to a deficit of $3.34 billion in 2023. This upturn in FDI reflects heightened investor confidence in the country’s economic reforms and growing political stability.
Akpabio also praised Governor Uzodimma for highlighting the APC’s achievements through his book. He argued that progress should be measured by tangible results, not mere promises. He emphasized the importance of telling the story of these successes: “If you don’t tell your story, others will tell it for you. The quality of works done by the Governor is very high, and the people of Imo State must be very excited.”
Since taking office in 2020, Uzodimma’s administration in Imo State has made significant strides, including the construction of over 300 kilometers of roads, the ongoing dualisation of the Owerri-Orlu Road, and the establishment of 15 new healthcare centres. Additionally, the rehabilitation of 50 secondary schools is underway. The book launch coincided with the commissioning of key projects, including the 10.5-megawatt upgrade to Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport and the N5 billion expansion of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital.
Looking back on his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015, Akpabio described himself as a progressive from the outset. His administration oversaw the construction of critical infrastructure, such as the 21.3-kilometer Ikot Abasi-Uyo Road and the Ibom Power Plant, which generates 200 megawatts of electricity. He also launched the Ibom E-Library, which served over 100,000 users annually, and saw the creation of 31 general hospitals and the Tropicana Mall, leading to a 12% increase in the state’s internally generated revenue by 2015.
Akpabio extended his congratulations to Uzodimma and the APC national leadership for their accomplishments over the past decade. Since the APC came into power in 2015, the party has grown from controlling 22 states to 28 by mid-2025. The party has invested over N100 trillion in national infrastructure projects, including 13,000 kilometers of federal roads and 200 federal university projects.
While Akpabio’s comments reflect confidence in the APC’s growth, public reactions to the defections have been mixed. Many Nigerians view these political shifts with skepticism, questioning whether they are truly motivated by public interest or by the desire for personal gain.
In Abuja, Fairview Africa reporters took to the streets to gauge public opinion on Akpabio’s assertion. Some residents expressed doubt about the sincerity of these political moves. Blessing, a trader in Abuja, shared: “The reason why politicians are moving from one place to another is because they are looking for what they will gain from Nigeria.” Olumide Ogundeji added, “Politicians moving from one place to another is because of their own self-interest. They don’t have the masses in mind.”
Victor Agbeyin offered a more nuanced view, stating: “What I think about politicians moving from one place to another is that some of them, not all, do it for selfish interests. Those that do it for the people’s interest will do it genuinely.”
Similar sentiments were echoed on social media, where prominent figures like Senator Aminu Tambuwal described the defections as driven by “personal gain rather than public interest,” while former Secretary to the Government Babachir Lawal called the defectors “driven by hunger and a desire to protect their lifestyles.”
Hon. Rilwan, a member of the National Assembly, noted that some recent APC joiners regretted their decisions, citing rising enthusiasm for alternatives like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a potential shift in voter sentiment.
The defections Akpabio predicted signal a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape as 2027 approaches. While the APC under President Tinubu’s leadership enjoys a surge in political momentum, the reactions from the public and political analysts reveal a broader debate over the motivations behind these moves.
