President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) remain the undisputed leaders of the party in their respective states, dismissing concerns that recent defections and internal realignments could weaken their authority.
Tinubu made the declaration amid growing political maneuvering ahead of future elections, with several high-profile defections across party lines raising questions about control of party structures at the state level. The president’s statement appears aimed at reassuring APC governors and reinforcing internal cohesion within the ruling party.
According to Tinubu, the APC’s constitution and political tradition clearly recognize sitting governors as the party’s leaders in their states, regardless of defections by individual lawmakers, local party officials, or political blocs.
“Governors remain the leaders of the APC in their states,” Tinubu said. “Defections do not change that reality. Party structures and leadership must be respected if the APC is to remain strong and united.”
Context of Rising Political Realignments
The remarks come at a time when Nigeria’s political landscape has been marked by increased cross-carpeting, with politicians switching allegiances in response to internal disputes, power struggles, or strategic calculations ahead of upcoming elections.
In some states, defections have triggered parallel claims to party leadership, fueling tensions between governors and rival factions within the APC. Tinubu’s intervention is widely seen as an attempt to shut down such disputes and prevent further fragmentation.
Message to Party Stakeholders
Party insiders say the president’s position sends a clear message to APC members that loyalty to constituted authority remains central to the party’s stability.
A senior APC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The president is making it clear that governors cannot be undermined in their own states. This is about discipline and order within the party.”
Tinubu also urged party members to focus on governance and service delivery rather than internal power struggles, warning that prolonged infighting could erode public confidence in the APC.
Balancing Power and Party Unity
Political analysts note that while affirming governors’ dominance may strengthen party control at the state level, it also places responsibility on governors to manage internal disagreements fairly and inclusively.
“By backing governors, Tinubu is betting on stability,” said a political analyst in Abuja. “But governors will also need to ensure that dissenting voices are managed politically, not suppressed, if the party wants to avoid deeper cracks.”
As the APC prepares for future electoral contests, Tinubu’s stance is likely to shape negotiations, defections, and alignments within the party, reinforcing the central role of governors as power brokers in Nigeria’s ruling political machine.
