Governors Joining APC For Personal Survival — Atiku
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has claimed that the recent wave of defections by opposition governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is motivated primarily by political self-preservation rather than genuine ideological alignment.
In a statement released through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku was responding to the defection of Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa State, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. The former vice-president noted that while every politician has the constitutional right to freely associate with any political platform, the growing pattern of cross-carpeting raises deeper concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy.
Atiku, now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), argued that the defections should not be interpreted as evidence of the ruling party’s strength or growing popularity. Instead, he described them as signs of mounting pressure and intimidation within the political space.
According to him, some governors are aligning with the ruling party out of fear of political marginalisation or possible institutional targeting. He accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of allegedly weaponising state institutions to weaken opposition figures and entrench a one-party system.
“This government fears accountability. It fears credible elections. It fears the people,” the statement read. “Governors may defect for personal survival. Nigerians are defecting in their millions because they want survival.”
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Atiku further maintained that the 2027 general elections would effectively become a referendum on Tinubu’s leadership and the APC’s performance in office. He questioned what the ruling party would present to voters as its achievements, citing economic hardship, rising inflation, and public dissatisfaction as central concerns facing the electorate.
“What will the APC campaign on in 2027 — hunger? hardship? hopelessness?” he asked, suggesting that political defections alone cannot substitute for governance outcomes that directly improve citizens’ lives.
The former vice-president cautioned against conflating political realignments with grassroots popularity, stressing that cross-carpeting is a longstanding feature of Nigerian politics and not necessarily a reflection of voter sentiment. He reminded observers that he himself has been part of major political formations over the years, including as a founding member of both the APC and the PDP.
In November 2025, Atiku formally defected to the African Democratic Congress, a move widely interpreted as part of broader coalition-building efforts ahead of the 2027 elections. He defended such political shifts as legitimate within a democratic framework, arguing that ideological flexibility is often necessary in evolving political landscapes.
Beyond party politics, Atiku appealed directly to Nigerian voters, urging them not to trade their long-term future for short-term inducements. He emphasized that despite political maneuvering among elites, the ultimate power rests with the electorate.
“Do not trade your future. Do not mortgage your children’s tomorrow. In 2027, the people will have their say—and their will shall prevail,” he said.
The statement has sparked mixed reactions across political circles. Critics have pointed out Atiku’s own history of party defections, arguing that his comments may appear inconsistent. Supporters, however, contend that his remarks highlight genuine concerns about democratic space, institutional independence, and the health of multi-party competition in Nigeria.
As political realignments continue ahead of the 2027 elections, the debate over whether defections signify political momentum or strategic survival is likely to intensify. What remains clear is that Nigeria’s political landscape is once again entering a period of recalibration, with alliances shifting and narratives competing for public attention.