Several former State House of Assembly candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from four states have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), publicly declaring support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The defectors were identified as former ADC candidates from Zamfara, Plateau, Taraba and Jigawa states.
The development was announced on Tuesday by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, adding to a series of political movements involving opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general election.
The defectors were received into the APC as the ruling party continues to expand its political mobilisation and membership ahead of the January 2027 elections.
According to reports, the politicians also expressed support for Tinubu’s bid to retain the presidency.
However, the ADC has disputed the APC’s description of the individuals involved, saying those received by the ruling party were not recognised members or candidates of the ADC.
The ADC’s response highlights the competing narratives that have increasingly accompanied defections ahead of the election, with parties sometimes disagreeing over the status and political significance of politicians who change allegiance.
The movement comes at a time when political parties are restructuring their organisations ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive presidential and legislative election.
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INEC’s final list contains 18 presidential candidates, including Tinubu of the APC, Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Sandy Ojang Onor of the PDP and several other candidates.
The commission has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections will take place on February 6.
Defections have become a recurring feature of Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly as elections approach. Politicians frequently reassess their affiliations based on party structures, electoral calculations and local political alliances.
For the APC, the latest entrants provide additional political activity in four states, although the actual electoral impact of the defections will ultimately depend on voters and the ability of the party structures to translate endorsements into support at the polls.
For the ADC, the development represents another challenge as it seeks to consolidate its political platform and maintain the support of candidates and members ahead of the election.
With the campaign period gathering momentum, further defections and political alignments are expected as candidates and parties seek to strengthen their positions across Nigeria.
