Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has said the opposition is becoming increasingly uneasy ahead of the 2027 general election as more state governors defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a development he attributed to the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.
Gatekeepers News reports that Sule made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, monitored in Lafia.
He dismissed claims by opposition figures that the defection of governors does not translate into electoral advantage, insisting that state chief executives play a central role in shaping political outcomes.
“The truth of the matter is that the more governors that you have, the more opportunities that you have. We have seen that clearly in 2014, when some PDP governors left the party to join the APC. As you all know, the realignment helped a lot in ensuring the late President Muhammadu Buhari got elected in 2015,” Sule said.
“Anybody who tells you that the more governors you have, the less chances that you have, such a person has a lot to learn about politics. The governors have influence, and they have critical roles to play in determining who gets what.”
The governor said the current wave of defections follows a similar pattern and signals growing strength for the ruling party ahead of the 2027 polls.
He rejected claims that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party state, saying it is unrealistic for all 36 governors to belong to a single party.
“As of Wednesday, we welcomed the 29th governor of Plateau State to our meeting. These are governors who are selling the party, themselves and Mr President. There is no way all the 36 governors in the country would belong to a single political party. Even if that happens, Nigeria will never be a one-party state. We are 29 and counting. Most likely some few governors will join us,” he stated.
According to Sule, the growing number of APC governors has unsettled opposition parties.
“Why are they getting worked up if other governors are defecting to the APC? Why would a governor’s leaving become a betrayal? Why would a governor leaving become a big problem if the governors have no influence?” he asked.
He linked the defections to the effects of Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly improved revenue inflow to states.
“If you go to every state in Nigeria, you will see major changes as a result of the improved revenue these governors are receiving. In every state you visit, you will see many developments taking place. Who is providing these developments? The state governors. How are they doing it? With the support of the federal government and the reforms initiated by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu,” he said.
Sule also dismissed claims that the 2027 election would be a contest between the APC and Nigerians.
“2027 is a contest between Tinubu/Shettima and all the other candidates from the opposition parties. It is not an election between the APC and Nigerians. Nigerians are going to vote for the best candidates they know have made an impact in their lives,” he said.
He described opposition criticism as routine political rhetoric, adding that defected governors have become ambassadors who will “sell the party, sell themselves, and sell Mr President”.
Sule further revealed that the APC’s recent National Working Committee meeting resolved issues concerning party congresses, the sale of nomination forms and the ongoing e-registration of members.
