Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says governors are defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for “personal survival”.
In a statement issued on Friday by Paul Ibe, his media adviser, Abubakar reacted to the defection of Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, saying every politician has the freewill to choose a political platform of their choice.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said the 2027 elections will be a referendum on President Bola Tinubu and the APC.
Abubakar said political realignments are not new, noting that even his children are free to take independent political positions.
Abubakar said the wave of defections by opposition governors to the APC is not a sign of the ruling party’s strength but evidence of pressure and intimidation.
He accused Tinubu’s administration of weaponising state institutions to bully political opponents in a desperate bid to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
“This government fears accountability. It fears credible elections. It fears the people,” the statement reads.
“Governors may defect for personal survival. Nigerians are defecting in their millions because they want survival.”
“What will the APC campaign on in 2027 — hunger? hardship? hopelessness?”
Abubakar said political cross-carpeting must not be confused with popularity.
He urged Nigerians not to sell their votes, adding that they will decide the outcome of the 2027 elections.
“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.
Abubakar, who is a founding member of the APC and PDP, defected to the ADC in November 2025.
