The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is preparing to receive more than 10,000 members of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
The proposed mass defection involves members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), according to the ruling party.
The movement is being organised under the Maji Johnson Bello (MJB) Movement, whose representatives recently visited the APC national secretariat in Abuja ahead of the planned formal defection ceremony.
APC Hails Planned Defection
The APC described the planned movement as a boost for the party and an indication of growing support for President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party.
Party officials said incoming members would be integrated into APC structures at different levels.
The development, however, should be distinguished from a completed mass defection: the reports indicate that the formal ceremony is still being organised.
Political Significance
The proposed movement comes at a time when Nigeria’s major political parties are intensifying grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election.
The APC is seeking to retain the presidency, while opposition parties are attempting to consolidate their support and challenge Tinubu.
Mass defections have become a recurring feature of Nigerian electoral politics, with politicians and supporters frequently changing platforms in the months leading up to major elections.
The scale being projected by the MJB Movement makes the latest announcement politically significant if the planned defection eventually takes place.
MJB Movement’s Position
The movement has linked its decision to its assessment of the Tinubu administration and the political direction of the country.
The planned entrants are expected to be formally registered within APC structures following the defection ceremony.
For the ruling party, successfully absorbing thousands of opposition supporters could provide a substantial boost to its grassroots mobilisation machinery.
For the opposition parties, the development could represent another test of their ability to retain members as the 2027 contest approaches.
The eventual size of the defection and the political profile of those involved will determine its wider electoral significance.