Tinubu’s leadership driving political realignments nationwide — APC Chairman

By Kunle Sanni- Abuja

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the wave of high-profile defections into the ruling party is evidence of its growing national appeal and the effectiveness of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.

Yilwatda spoke on Thursday at the 14th APC National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, his first appearance at such a forum since assuming office in July.

He thanked President Tinubu for his support and urged party leaders to remain united as the APC prepares for upcoming congresses and its national convention scheduled for March 2026, subject to approval by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

According to the APC chairman, the party has continued to consolidate its structures nationwide through an ongoing electronic membership registration exercise, while recent political realignments have reinforced its “pan-Nigerian character.”

Yilwatda said several prominent political figures, including governors elected on the platform of opposition parties, had joined the APC, noting that the development had strengthened the party’s dominance in both chambers of the National Assembly.

He listed among recent defectors the governors of Bayelsa, Douye Diri; Enugu, Peter Mbah; Taraba, Agbu Kefas; and Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara, adding that the APC now enjoys an overwhelming majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The party chairman also announced the activation of an electronic membership registration system aimed at improving transparency, data integrity and internal democracy. He said training had been conducted at zonal, state and local government levels, and urged party stakeholders to support a nationwide rollout.

Yilwatda disclosed that the registration exercise would run through January, with January 30 set as the deadline to complete registration ahead of party congresses.