APC congresses hand defecting governors control of party structures
Governors who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have tightened their grip on party structures in their states following the emergence of new state chairmen at congresses concluded nationwide.
The development, widely seen as a strategic consolidation ahead of the 2027 general elections, followed the successful conduct of ward, local government and state congresses across the country.
Among the governors who recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC are Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa) and Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), who moved from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
In several of these states, including Delta, Enugu, Bayelsa and Taraba, allies of the defecting governors emerged as state chairmen, effectively handing the new entrants firm control of party machinery.
APC orders immediate inauguration
The APC National Working Committee directed the immediate swearing-in of all newly elected executive committee members at ward, local government and state levels.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement in Abuja, said the directive was in strict compliance with the party’s constitution.
“The All Progressives Congress hereby directs that the ward, local government and state executive committees duly elected at the 2026 congresses of the party be sworn in or inaugurated today or soon thereafter,” the statement read.
Morka thanked party members for the peaceful conduct of the congresses nationwide.
“Our great party wishes to thank all members, stakeholders and supporters for the peaceful conduct of congresses around the country. Congratulations to all,” he added.
Party leaders described the congresses as a milestone in the APC’s internal democratic process and a major step towards repositioning the party for future political contests.
Former PDP leaders emerge in several states
In Enugu State, former PDP chairman, Martin Chukwunweike, emerged as APC state chairman through affirmation by delegates from the 17 local government areas at the congress held at Okpara Square in Enugu.
Other officials elected include Peace Nnaji (Deputy Chairman), Nnamdi Nwafor (Vice Chairman, Enugu East), Fabian Onah (Vice Chairman, Enugu North), Chimaobi David (Vice Chairman, Enugu West), Chukwudi Nnadozie (Secretary), Uche Obute (Publicity Secretary) and Esther Edeh (Woman Leader).
Governor Mbah congratulated the new executives, describing the congress as a demonstration of unity and internal democracy.
Arenyeka emerges in Delta
In Delta State, Solomon Arenyeka, the immediate past PDP chairman in the state, was elected APC chairman at the congress held at the Cenotaph.
His emergence followed Oborevwori’s defection from the PDP, which triggered a sweeping political realignment across the state, with PDP structures largely collapsing into the APC.
Arenyeka emerged by consensus, while Moses Iduh was elected deputy chairman and Efe Uko became state secretary.
Oborevwori charged the new State Working Committee to begin preparations for total victory in the 2027 elections.
Taraba, Plateau, Bayelsa
In Taraba State, former PDP chairman Abubakar Bawa was affirmed as APC state chairman after resigning from the PDP, further consolidating former PDP structures within the party following Kefas’ defection.
In Plateau State, Rufus Bature was re-elected APC chairman through consensus at the congress in Jos.
Meanwhile, in Bayelsa State, former member of the House of Representatives, Warman Ogoriba, emerged as state chairman at the congress held at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa.
Party leaders, including Governor Diri, described the exercise as peaceful and rancour-free.
Other states
In Edo State, Jarret Tenebe was returned unopposed as APC chairman for a second term at the congress held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City.
In Akwa Ibom State, Stephen Ntukekpo was re-elected chairman by consensus, while Abubakar Kana-Zuru retained his position as APC chairman in Kebbi State following a largely consensus-based congress in Birnin Kebbi.
The APC also proceeded with its congress in Ondo State despite a court order restraining the exercise, with Kolawole Babatunde emerging as state chairman.
In Lagos State, Cornelius Ojelabi was re-elected chairman through affirmation at the congress attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Similarly, former deputy governor Moses Alake Adeyemo emerged as consensus chairman in Oyo State, while Yemi Sanusi and 35 other executives were re-elected at the congress held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Strategic consolidation
Political observers say the emergence of state chairmen aligned with defecting governors signals a deliberate consolidation of party structures as the APC prepares for the 2027 general elections.