Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has said that, ahead of the 2027 general election, the opposition is gripped by fear as state governors continue to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), mostly due to the positive impact of the reforms initiated by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

The governor made the statement during an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, as monitored by our correspondent in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

Sule strongly debunked claims by opposition figures that the defection of governors does not translate into electoral advantage for the ruling party, saying that state governors are the primary drivers of development and have significant influence over the political direction of their states.

The governor recalled the 2014 political realignment, when some Peoples Democratic Party governors joined the APC, a move he said was instrumental in the election of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

He said the current wave of defections follows a similar pattern and signals growing strength for the APC ahead of the 2027 polls.

His words, “The truth of the matter is that the more governors that you have, the more opportunities that you have. We have seen that clearly in 2014, when some PDP governors left the party to join the APC. As you all know, the realignment helped a lot in ensuring the late President Muhammadu Buhari got elected in 2015.

“Anybody who tells you that the more governors you have, the less chances that you have, such a person has a lot to learn about politics. The governors have influence, and they have critical roles to play in determining who gets what.”

Governor Sule refuted claims that Nigeria is turning into a one-party state, emphasising that it is nearly impossible for all 36 state governors to belong to a single political party.

“As of Wednesday, we welcomed the 29th governor of Plateau State to our meeting. These are governors who are selling the party, themselves and Mr. President. There is no way all the 36 governors in the country would belong to a single political party. Even if that happens, Nigeria will never be a one-party state. We are 29 and counting. Most likely some few governors will join us,” he stated.

According to him, the influx of governors into the APC is already causing concern and fears amongst the opposition.

“Why are they getting worked up if other governors are defecting to the APC? Why would a governor’s leaving become a betrayal? Why would a governor leaving become a big problem if the governors have no influence?” he concluded.

The governor, however, attributed the mass defection directly to the impact of President Tinubu’s economic reforms.

He explained that Tinubu’s fiscal reforms have improved revenue flows to states, enabling governors to execute visible development projects.

“If you go to every state in Nigeria, you will see major changes as a result of the improved revenue these governors are receiving. In every state you visit, you will see many developments taking place. Who is providing these developments? The state governors. How are they doing it? With the support of the federal government and the reforms initiated by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu,” he added.

Contrary to the claims by the opposition that the 2027 presidential election is a contest between the APC and Nigerians, Governor Sule said Nigerians would re-elect the APC’s Tinubu/Shettima team.

“2027 is a contest between Tinubu/Shettima and all the other candidates from the opposition parties. It is not an election between the APC and Nigerians. Nigerians are going to vote for the best candidates they know have made an impact in their lives, whether in governorship, senatorial, or House of Representatives elections. That is the way it has always been. Who amongst the other candidates would compare to that of the APC?”

He dismissed the opposition’s rhetoric as normal in politics, noting that members of the opposition seek to discredit the successes recorded by President Tinubu and the APC.

He emphasised that the defected governors are now ambassadors who will “sell the party, sell themselves, and sell Mr. President,” making the Tinubu/Shettima ticket an increasingly formidable force that has already begun to unsettle opposing camps ahead of 2027.

As a result of the APC’s recent national working committee meeting, the governor revealed the decisions taken on the forthcoming party congresses, the sale of nomination forms, and the significance of the ongoing E-registration of members.