ABUJA — As the 2027 general elections draw closer, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appears to be consolidating his political stronghold across Southern Nigeria, following an unprecedented wave of defections by governors and senior politicians from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defections, which analysts say could significantly reshape Nigeria’s political map ahead of 2027, have sparked fears among opposition figures of an emerging one-party state a concern dismissed by APC loyalists as evidence of Tinubu’s “strategic leadership.”

Within the past week, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri both dumped the PDP, alongside dozens of cabinet members and lawmakers. Their exits follow earlier crossovers by Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, as well as PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa.

Defections Spread Across the South

The PUNCH gathered from top APC insiders that further defections are imminent, with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Abia State Governor Alex Otti reportedly in advanced discussions to join the ruling party.

A senior APC official revealed that the party’s strategy is to secure dominance across the 17 southern states, 11 of which are already governed by APC members.

“The APC is attracting them all,” he said. “Talks are ongoing with other PDP governors in the South, and even a few from the North are preparing to join before 2027. The aim is simple political stability under one strong government.”

Atiku, Obi Hit Back — ‘Battle Line Drawn’

Opposition leaders, however, have condemned the mass defections as opportunistic and dangerous for democracy. Former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar accused the Tinubu administration of using “state institutions and coercion” to weaken the opposition.

“The battle line has been drawn,” Atiku’s media aide Paul Ibe said. “What we’re witnessing is not politics but intimidation. Nigerians are watching, and they will respond at the ballot in 2027.”

Similarly, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi rejected suggestions that the defections could “capture” southern states politically, insisting that power still rests with the people.

“No one can capture any region just because a governor defected,” Obi said. “Leadership in a democracy is by persuasion, not coercion.”

Wike Takes Credit as Critics Join APC

In a twist of irony, Federal Capital Territory Minister and PDP stalwart Nyesom Wike mocked his critics during a project flag-off in Abuja, saying those who once accused him of working for the APC have now joined the ruling party.

“All of them are now in the APC,” Wike said. “So, they should commend me for doing a good job paving the way for them.”

He lauded President Tinubu’s “decisive leadership,” claiming it has ensured that all states now have enough funds to pay salaries and undertake major projects a contrast, he said, to his time as governor of Rivers State.

Dickson Blasts Diri, Warns Against One-Party State

Reacting sharply to Diri’s exit from the PDP, Senator Seriake Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, accused defecting governors of abandoning the opposition after “creating the very crises that weakened it.”

“I see no compelling reason for a second-term governor to defect,” Dickson said. “Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive under a one-party system.”

ADC, Others Decry ‘Collapse of Opposition’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also weighed in, alleging that President Tinubu is “systematically turning Nigeria into a one-party state.”

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said, “What these governors have done is to abandon their people and join a government that has failed on all fronts security, economy, and welfare.”

The party vowed that Nigerians would “draw a line in 2027” between “those committed to saving the country and those joining the gravy train.”

Enugu PDP Vows to Rebuild

In Enugu, PDP loyalists have pledged to rebuild the party following Governor Mbah’s defection. Former State Youth Leader Dr. Okey Ozoani said, “We thank God they’ve left. True PDP members will now regroup and rebuild. Defection won’t reduce the cost of living or make Enugu safer.”

Analysts: 2027 Will Be a Defining Election

Political analysts say the latest realignments mark a critical phase in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. With the APC now governing over two-thirds of Nigerian states, the opposition faces an uphill task in maintaining relevance before 2027.

Yet, as both Atiku and Obi have warned, the real test will come not in the defections but at the ballot box.

“The people,” Obi said, “will take their pound of flesh.”