REV3ALED: Defections to APC driven by promises of automatic tickets, multi-billion naira contracts

A wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has sparked fresh controversy across Nigeria's political landscape, with allegations emerging that high-level political figures are being lured by lofty promises allegedly orchestrated by the presidency and the APC national leadership.

Findings indicate that beyond the commonly cited reasons such as internal party wrangling or support for the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, some defections may be tied to behind-the-scenes incentives, including automatic return tickets for 2027, major federal projects, and financial inducements.

While political defections are not uncommon in Nigeria's democracy, the scale and pace since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023 have raised eyebrows.

Analysts note that rather than consolidating opposition alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections, the opposition appears to be fragmenting under the weight of defections to the APC.

Despite efforts by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to rally opposition parties into a viable coalition, notable politicians continue to jump ship to the ruling party.

Apart from isolated cases like the defection of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the bulk of movement has been towards the APC.

Sources told Daily Trust many of the defectors were allegedly offered automatic return tickets for the 2027 elections, regardless of performance or tenure.

Legislators and other influential opposition figures have also reportedly been promised major infrastructure projects worth billions of naira for their constituencies.

So far, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is the most prominent sitting governor to officially join the APC from the opposition.

Other first-term governors are reportedly under pressure or showing signs of alignment with the Tinubu administration.

At the legislative level, defections have been recorded across several states. In Kano, Senator Kawu Sumaila, who recently joined the APC from the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), was linked to a federal dam revitalization project reportedly worth over N90 billion. He confirmed the project's approval but denied any quid pro quo.

"These are projects that benefit the people of Kano South. I campaigned on revitalizing our agricultural infrastructure, and these dams are critical to that. This has nothing to do with party politics," Sumaila said in an interview.

In Katsina, all three PDP members in the House of Representatives, Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri (Mashi/Dutsi), Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai (Bakori/Danja), and Aliyu Ilyasu (Batsari/Safana/Danmusa), have crossed over to the APC.

Sani Muhammad, a former PDP ward chairman in Batsari LGA, confirmed he followed Hon. Ilyasu to the APC.

"The PDP crisis in the state is too much. We've not heard of any financial inducement, but the APC has been courting them for a while," he said.

In Kebbi State, the defections of Senators Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Musa Mai Doki to the APC followed strategic consultations with the state government.

Senator Aliero's younger brother, Alhaji Abba Aliero, led negotiations with Governor Nasir Idris over power-sharing arrangements, paving the way for their eventual switch.

Most defectors deny receiving any inducements in return for their allegiance to the ruling party. They continue to cite dysfunction in their former parties as the primary motive behind their defection.

However, the growing perception that the APC is using state resources and political leverage to consolidate power ahead of 2027 is raising serious concerns among observers and civil society groups.

Political analysts warn that such maneuvers, if proven, risk undermining democratic integrity and opposition politics, especially at a time when the country is grappling with economic hardship, rising inflation, and widespread insecurity.