Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has revealed that more prominent politicians are preparing to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress, dismissing opposition claims of intimidation by the party.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Sule stated that the APC is actively strategizing for the 2027 general elections in response to the newly formed opposition coalition.
“Yes, we have discussed,” Sule said when asked if APC governors had considered the implications of the opposition alliance. “And it is not something, actually, that I will disclose here. You know, as they are planning, we are planning. We’re in politics. We’re not just sitting down watching them plan. So as they plan, we plan. And at the end of the day, the better plans will take over.”
The governor highlighted the APC’s growing strength, noting recent defections from opposition parties. “We keep getting more and more governors from the PDP joining us. Very soon, you will hear another governor joining us. You hear every day about senators decamping and coming back to the APC. Every day. These are all part of the plans—they’re not happening just by magic,” he added.
Sule’s comments follow a major opposition meeting on July 2 at Abuja’s Yar’Adua Centre, where leaders from various political blocs adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their unified platform to challenge the APC in 2027. The event saw ADC founder Ralph Nwosu present membership cards to former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola, who were named interim national chairman and secretary of the coalition, respectively.
Other notable attendees included Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Dele Momodu, Emeka Ihedioha, and Dino Melaye.
When questioned about ADC’s allegations that politicians fear joining the opposition due to APC persecution, Sule dismissed the claims. “I don’t underrate anybody, but the bottom line is, they must find something else to say. Jonathan’s era is completely different from this era. We didn’t see what we’re seeing now during Jonathan’s time. We didn’t go through the challenges we’re facing now during his time,” he said.
The governor also downplayed comparisons between the ADC coalition and the historic merger that formed the APC in 2013. “The calibre of people that came together to form the APC—ANPP, APGA, ACN, CPC, and even the new PDP—is not the same kind of thing you’re seeing in this new opposition,” Sule remarked.
While the ADC alliance has been touted as a potential game-changer, its long-term viability remains uncertain, with APC leaders like Sule expressing confidence in their party’s dominance ahead of the 2027 polls.
