The All Progressives Congress (APC) is emerging as a major beneficiary of a wave of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with prominent opposition figures and grassroots members jumping ship across the country.
In the South-East, Oseloka Obaze, a close ally of Peter Obi and a high-ranking member of the Labour Party (LP), has formally resigned his membership in protest over the controversial April 5 governorship primary election in Anambra State.
Meanwhile, in the North-West, at least 300 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kaduna State have defected to the APC, citing the performance of Governor Uba Sani.
Obaze, a former United Nations diplomat and ex-Secretary to the Anambra State Government under Peter Obi, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the party’s internal processes.
In a letter addressed to the LP chairman of Ochuche Ward 406, Ogbaru Local Government Area, he wrote: “The processes, conduct and outcome of the Labour Party governorship primaries held on April 5, 2025, in Awka were fraught with outright irregularities, bordering on fraud and criminality.”
He continued: “It was not in tandem with either the party’s constitution and espoused core values or true tenets of democracy.”
When contacted by journalists on Sunday, Obaze confirmed the authenticity of the letter, saying: “The letter is real and speaks for itself.”
In addition to the flawed primary, Obaze pointed to the unresolved leadership crisis within the Labour Party at the national level, citing the party’s inability to harmonise the factions loyal to Julius Abure and Nenadi Usman.
His resignation marks a significant moment for the LP, as Obaze played a central role in Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign and was widely seen as one of the intellectual backbones of the Obedient Movement.
Obaze had also resigned from the PDP in 2022, just a week before Peter Obi’s own defection to the Labour Party.
While the LP loses a major figure in the South-East, the APC gains ground in the North-West. In Kaduna North Local Government Area, 300 members of PDP and NNPP officially joined the ruling APC at a political gathering in Kawo Ward.
Jamilu Haruna, a permanent member of the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), received the defectors and praised their decision as a reflection of the public’s approval of Governor Uba Sani’s governance.
“This defection is not surprising. Even members of the opposition acknowledge Governor Uba Sani’s giant strides in security, education, food security, and citizens’ welfare.”
He went on to highlight the achievements of the Sani administration: “These achievements have set him apart from his peers and strengthened his relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This puts Kaduna in a strategic position to benefit further from the Federal Government.
“I led 225 members from PDP because they believe in Governor Sani’s inclusive style of governance. You will be treated fairly and equally in our party. No one will be considered a second-class member.”
Haruna also appreciated the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Sani Liman Kila, for supporting the event and the integration of the defectors.
The APC chairman of Kaduna North Local Government, Alhaji Suleiman Wada Usman, also addressed the gathering, welcoming the new members on behalf of Governor Uba Sani.
Leading the defectors, Professor Usman Muhammad, a former PDP senatorial aspirant for Kaduna Central, explained his decision to leave the PDP along with over 200 others.
He also criticised his former party for ignoring seasoned politicians:
“Despite their qualifications and service, PDP has sidelined experienced members like myself,” he added.
