Aregbesola Issues Stark Warning to APC Over Defection Strategy
Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, has delivered a pointed caution to the All Progressives Congress regarding its political strategy for the 2027 presidential election. Speaking at a public event in Abuja, Aregbesola emphasized that relying on defecting state governors cannot guarantee electoral success for President Bola Tinubu's potential re-election bid.
Voters Hold Ultimate Power, Not Governors
Aregbesola presented a compelling argument that electoral victories are determined by voters rather than political machinery. The former governor stressed that recent election outcomes across Nigeria demonstrate that control of state governments does not automatically translate into votes at the polls. His comments come amid a significant wave of defections to the ruling APC, including several governors originally elected on opposition party platforms.
"Recent statistics in Nigeria, based on the last election, do not support this belief," Aregbesola stated during his address at the public launch of The Loyalist, a memoir by ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi.
Electoral Evidence from Key Regions
The former governor provided specific examples from the 2023 elections to support his position. In the South West region, where APC controlled all but one state, the party achieved a maximum performance of only 55% in the presidential election. Aregbesola noted that even in Lagos State, the APC presidential candidate lost his own ward, local government, and state during the election.
The situation in the South East proved even more revealing according to Aregbesola's analysis. "In the Southeast, the result is even more striking. The APC had only 5.8% of the total vote from that zone," he revealed, emphasizing that these regional results clearly demonstrate that governors cannot deliver votes against the will of the people.
Defection Wave and Political Implications
Aregbesola's warning comes as numerous political heavyweights have crossed over to the APC in recent months. The list includes Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and several governors originally elected on the Peoples Democratic Party platform:
- Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State
- Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State
- Peter Mbah of Enugu State
- Douye Diri of Bayelsa State
- Agbu Kefas of Taraba State
- Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State
- Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State
Beyond governors, several lawmakers, former governors, ex-ministers and other political figures have also defected to the ruling party, creating significant debate about Nigeria's political balance and the potential emergence of a one-party dominant system.
Call for Electoral Integrity
Aregbesola emphasized that only a transparent electoral process would truly determine whether political realignments and defecting governors would make any meaningful difference in 2027. He urged the federal government and election authorities to commit to free, fair, and credible elections as the ultimate test of political strength.
"What we require from the government overseeing the election is a commitment to a free and fair process," Aregbesola stated. "So first, commit yourself to a free and fair election, and let us see what the result will be. That's what we're asking."
The former governor, who left the APC for the ADC last year, expressed concern about the weakening of opposition unity while maintaining that democratic principles must prevail over political calculations. His analysis suggests that the APC's strategy of welcoming defecting governors may not yield the expected electoral dividends without addressing fundamental issues of governance and public trust.
