Defection for Sale? APC Accused of Dangling Billions, Contracts to Lure Opposition Lawmakers

There is growing speculation that the Presidency and the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are making bold overtures to opposition politicians, including promises of automatic tickets and lucrative government contracts to entice them into joining the ruling party.

These attractive incentives are reportedly playing a key role in the recent wave of defections by lawmakers, top government officials, and party leaders from rival political parties—especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—into the APC.

In recent months, Nigeria’s political landscape has undergone a noticeable transformation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, still in its early phase, as prominent opposition figures continue to switch allegiance to the APC.

While such defections are often framed as being driven by shared national development goals or ideological alignment, many political observers argue that the real motivation lies in the allure of assured candidacies for the 2027 elections and access to highly profitable contracts tied to the federal government.

Though some defectors claim internal party crises pushed them to leave the very platforms that facilitated their rise to power, it is widely believed that promises of governorship or legislative seats in 2027, along with opportunities for economic empowerment through federal contracts, are the primary reasons behind these political realignments.

Analysts note that this trend suggests the defections are not necessarily rooted in a commitment to national progress, but rather strategic calculations aimed at consolidating political clout and financial gain.

Tempting Offers Undermining Coalition Talks

Amid worsening economic conditions—including the removal of fuel subsidies, devaluation of the naira, and persistent insecurity—many Nigerians expected opposition leaders to unite in offering a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, instead of reinforcing coalition efforts led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2023, the political momentum seems to be swinging in the opposite direction.

While some figures—such as former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai—have left the APC for parties like the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which is being explored as a possible coalition platform, the ruling party has seen a surge in defections from the PDP and other opposition groups.

This wave of defections has reshaped the political environment significantly, with at least one sitting governor already joining the APC, and reports suggesting that more opposition leaders are weighing their next moves.