APC Predicts More Governor Defections, Decries Weaponization of Ethnicity, Religion, and Fake News Ahead of 2027

The wave of high-profile defections into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to gather momentum, with the party revealing that more state governors are set to join its ranks in the near future.

Speaking at a one-day seminar held in Abuja for the party’s state and zonal publicity secretaries, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, said the event was crucial for strategizing ahead of the 2027 general elections. The seminar, themed “Communicating Renewed Hope”, was organized by the office of the National Publicity Secretary.

Senator Basiru took a strong stance against the growing use of fake news, as well as the politicization of ethnicity and religion by opposition forces. “If we don’t tell our story, someone else will tell it—wrongly,” he emphasized.

He lamented the rising trend of misinformation, accusing political opponents of using foreign images of war-torn areas like Somalia or Chad to mislead Nigerians. He also criticized former governors who, despite lacking development achievements in their own states, now pontificate on international governance models.

According to Basiru, “Ethnic and religious divisions were not this pronounced in the past. Sadly, they were inflamed during the 2023 elections and continue to persist. Even those with questionable personal records now hide behind religion for political gain.”

He stressed the importance of countering these tactics with effective communication and showcasing the achievements of APC governors. “As of now, the APC has 23 governors. More are on the way—some viable, others less so. But we must highlight the work our governors are doing to prove it’s about results, not rhetoric,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying they have laid a strong foundation for long-term national growth.

Using the analogy of building a skyscraper, Alake explained that the administration’s early efforts may not be immediately visible to the public, but are essential for sustainable development. He cited the removal of fuel subsidies and unification of the exchange rate as major breakthroughs, describing them as “two economic monsters” that had long hindered Nigeria’s progress.

“These reforms have stabilized the naira and increased revenue across all levels of government. States and local governments now have more funds, and many indebted states have started clearing their debts,” Alake added.