See List Of Political Bigwigs Who Decamped From Opposition Parties To APC In 2024

Published

2 years ago

December 30, 2024

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See List Of Political Bigwigs Who Decamped From Opposition Parties To APC In 2024—-The practice of politicians switching parties has become a customary aspect of Nigeria’s political environment. Analysts suggest that these defections are motivated by a variety of factors.

TCN reports that the Nigerian political space in the year 2024 witnessed a series of dramas with the initiation of merger discussions among opposition parties in anticipation of the 2027 general elections.

The year also witnessed the defection of key political figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which was pivotal in shaping the year’s events.

As is often observed in Nigerian politics, the aftermath of the 2023 general elections saw a notable increase in defections, which analysts have interpreted as a realignment of political interests and alliances.

Throughout the past year, many defectors expressed their belief that the APC represents the sole platform dedicated to tackling the myriad challenges facing the nation.

According to Weekend Trust, the practice of politicians switching parties has become a customary aspect of Nigeria’s political environment. Analysts suggest that these defections are motivated by a variety of factors.

Among the prominent politicians who have joined the ruling party over the course of the year are:

Anyim Pius Anyim

The former President of the Nigerian Senate, Pius Anyim, who secured a victory in the July 2024 election representing the PDP, has now defected to the ruling APC.

At the State House in Abuja, he was introduced to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, where he informed journalists that his decision to switch parties was motivated by the necessity of working together to tackle the numerous challenges facing the nation.

He was accompanied to the Presidential Villa by Hope Uzodinma, the governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, along with other notable APC leaders.

Emeka Ihedioha

A former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, who held office from May 29, 2019, to January 14, 2020, subsequently left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Ihedioha, who previously served as the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, communicated his departure from the PDP through a letter directed to the chairperson of the party in his Mbutu Ward, located in the Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area. This letter was dated April 23, 2024.

In his correspondence, Ihedioha articulated that he had made significant contributions to the advancement of the PDP since its inception in 1998.

Daniel Bwala

The previous PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation spokesperson, Daniel Bwala, also transitioned to the APC within the year, expressing his dedication to supporting President Tinubu without any regrets.

Bwala noted his admiration for President Tinubu’s proactive approach to addressing various issues, including the management of governance costs. He emphasized that he has consistently aligned himself with Tinubu and intends to maintain his support.

On November 14, President Tinubu sanctioned the appointment of Bwala as his Special Adviser for Media and Public Communications at the State House.

This information was conveyed in a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

Ramalan Yero

He is a former governor of Kaduna State. Who joined the APC, five months after leaving the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The former governor, who served the Kaduna people from 2012 to 2015 on the platform of the PDP, joined the APC on February 12, 2024.

Giving reasons for his defection, Yero said, “Since the very day we announced our defection from the PDP, many political parties contacted us, including the ruling APC. We met and discussed the matter. Therefore, from today, February 12, 2024, myself and representatives of other political associates have decided to join the APC.”

Sylvanus Nguji Ngele

Ngele was a former PDP National Working Committee (NWC) member and served as a senator representing Ebonyi North in the National Assembly under the PDP banner.

However, in May 2024, he left the party, joining other notable leaders from Ebonyi State, including a former representative of the Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency and a previous gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general elections, Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga.

Ngele and his associates were welcomed into the APC during a ceremony held in Abakaliki.

During the event, Ngele expressed that their primary motivation for leaving the PDP was its failure to nominate a governor from the Izzi clan, a goal that the APC successfully accomplished, adhering to the established charter of equity in Ebonyi State.

Senator Ezenwo Onyewuchi

The senator representing Imo East on the Labour Party (LP) platform, Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi, equally dumped his party for the ruling APC. Senator Onyewuchi’s defection letter was read on the floor of the red chamber by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

The Imo senator based his communication on Section 68(1g) of the constitution.

LP, PDP Lawmakers Defect To APC

On December 4, 2024, four representatives from the Labour Party (LP) and one from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) transitioned to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The individuals involved are Tochukwu Okere from Imo State, Donatus Mathew from Kaduna, Bassey Akiba from Cross River, Iyawu Esosa from Edo, and Erthiatake Ibori-Suenu from Delta, who previously belonged to the PDP.

In October 2024, the APC secured an additional seat in the House of Representatives due to the defection of Abubakar Gumi from the PDP.

Additionally, Salman Idris, a representative from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also defected to the APC, representing the Kabba Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, announced their letters of defection during a plenary session.

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Abia 2031: Competence Will Dictate My Successor, Says Governor Otti

Published

2 weeks ago

September 18, 2026

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Abia 2031: Competence Will Dictate My Successor, Says Governor Otti—-Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says he will neither be a godfather nor impose his successor on the state after serving his second tenure in 2031.

Otti spoke on Thursday in Umuahia, while receiving a former Social Democratic Party Gubernatorial Candidate, Mrs Ngozi Johnson-Chukwunenye, and her supporters into the Labour Party (LP).

He said that leadership succession should be based on identifying the most suitable person for the job, rather than perpetuating a “sit-tight” culture.

He said that the person who would succeed him would be better equipped to provide quality leadership to the people.

Otti said: “The most important thing you can give a people is good governance.

“And once people test good governance, it will be very difficult for them to allow you to take them back.

“So, if you are afraid that we will go back to Egypt, it will never happen and what I can assure you is that, by the time I’m done, the person who will succeed me will be better than me.

“I don’t want to be a godfather and I don’t tolerate godfathers.

“We will all sit down, look at everybody and say, who is the best person for this job and then all of us will agree and we will campaign for him.

“He will win and we will take a back seat.”

The governor also reiterated his earlier stance not to seek another elective position after completing his second tenure.

He said his administration’s focus was to provide good governance and create an environment, where younger people could emerge as capable leaders.

“We should stop this sit-tight. It’s only you. It can’t be only you.

“There are smarter, more trained, better-trained, better-equipped younger people; our children. We need to give them opportunity,” he said.

Otti said that his administration was already preparing younger people to take over leadership responsibilities through various initiatives, including the Abia Leadership Academy.

He said that over 1,080 young people, between the ages of 16 and 25, had recently graduated from the academy.

“You will see how smart our children are. So, these are the people that will take over from us.

“And they are being trained now for tomorrow; so we can never go back,” he said.

The governor also said the administration’s effort to improve governance and infrastructure would continue, in spite of criticism.

He argued that development could not be achieved in one day.

He said his administration had prioritised the restoration of Aba and Umuahia before extending its interventions to other parts of the state.

“We are now moving into the hinterlands, and we will continue until we reach everywhere; so nothing will stop us,” he said.

He thanked Johnson-Chukwunenye for joining the party and for remembering less privileged children, including pupils from the School for the Blind.

Otti said such gestures demonstrated concern for vulnerable members of society.

In a speech, the National Vice-Chairman of the party (Southeast), Mr Ishmael Onuoha, said the party’s motto aligned with the ideals expressed in the third stanza of the national anthem.

Onuoha described the party as one committed to the masses and hope for Nigerians.

In a remark, the LP Chairman in Abia, Mr Peter Azubuike, said the growing support for the party was a by-product of Otti’s good governance and performance.

Azubuike said the party was ready for the 2027 elections, urging members to prepare for polling-unit-based campaigns and ensure effective mobilisation at the grassroots.

In a speech, Johnson-Chukwunenye said that she had closely followed the Otti administration and was convinced by its efforts to clean, light up and restore dignity to Abia.

She said she decided to support Otti’s second-term bid because she believed his administration’s policies aligned with her vision of a government that remembers the poor and promotes equity.

She called for legislation on “continuity and completion” to ensure that successive administrations continued projects inherited from previous governments.

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BREAKING: After Historic Osun Victory, Adeleke Backs Tinubu for 2027 Re-Election

Published

1 month ago

August 16, 2026

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BREAKING: After Historic Osun Victory, Adeleke Backs Tinubu for 2027 Re-Election—-Fresh from securing a second term as Osun governor under the Accord Party, Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for another term in 2027.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027, shortly after securing another four-year term as governor of the state.

Adeleke made the declaration in his victory speech following his successful re-election in the August 15 governorship election, where he contested under the Accord Party after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor’s renewed endorsement of Tinubu adds another significant dimension to his remarkable political journey. Adeleke won his first term as governor in 2022 on the PDP platform but subsequently moved to Accord ahead of the 2026 election, successfully defending his seat as an incumbent under his new party.

Adeleke Praises Tinubu After Election Victory

In his post-election remarks, Adeleke expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, who had called to congratulate him on his victory.

https://thecloudngr.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Imran_Muhammad_-_President_Tinubu_is_son_of_Osun_state_and_I_hereby_reaffirm_my_earlie_67ts5d.mp4?_=1

The Osun governor praised the President for what he described as his role in ensuring that democracy continued to thrive, while acknowledging Tinubu’s congratulatory gesture following the election.

Adeleke’s comments represent a notable development given the political rivalry and tensions that characterized the build-up to the Osun election.

Before the poll, the governor had repeatedly called on the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. His campaign also exchanged accusations with the APC over the conduct of the electoral process and the role of federal authorities.

Renewed Support for Tinubu’s 2027 Ambition

Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu for 2027 is not entirely new.

The governor had previously declared his support for Tinubu’s re-election campaign before the Osun governorship election. In June, while formally launching his Accord Party re-election campaign, Adeleke described his support for the President as “unshaken and total.”

He again reaffirmed that position after winning the Osun election, emphasizing his continued backing for the President’s second-term ambition. Vanguard and Punch both reported the governor’s renewed endorsement following his victory.

Adeleke also described Tinubu as a son of Osun, further highlighting the personal and political connection he says exists between the President and the state.

Adeleke’s Historic Political Switch

The endorsement comes just days after Adeleke achieved a major political feat by retaining the Osun governorship despite switching parties.

The governor was elected in 2022 as a PDP candidate but later abandoned the party following a prolonged internal crisis. He subsequently joined Accord and secured the party’s ticket to contest the 2026 election.

His decision created considerable political uncertainty because he was defending his position as an incumbent governor without the PDP structure that had originally brought him to power.

Adeleke ultimately overcame the challenge, winning another term under Accord and strengthening his position as one of the country’s most prominent politicians outside the traditional major-party platforms.

Tinubu Congratulates Adeleke

President Tinubu has also congratulated Adeleke on his re-election, describing the result as a reflection of the will of the people.

The President said the outcome demonstrated that democracy continues to flourish in Nigeria and urged the governor to use his renewed mandate to serve the people of Osun State.

The development creates an interesting political dynamic ahead of 2027, with Adeleke now firmly positioned as an Accord governor who is publicly supporting the incumbent President’s re-election bid.

For Adeleke, the immediate priority will be delivering on the mandate he has just received from Osun voters. But his decision to publicly back Tinubu also signals that his political calculations extend beyond the state and into the increasingly important national contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

After securing a historic second term under Accord, Adeleke has now turned his attention toward the next political battle — throwing his weight behind Tinubu’s bid to remain President beyond 2027.

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