The 2027 political battle is taking a sharper turn as governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have drawn a clear line against former party members who have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after losing out in APC primary contests.
The governors, under the Progressives Governors Forum, resolved at a meeting in Abuja that they would not support, endorse or participate in political alliances involving candidates outside the APC.
The position comes amid the movement of some former APC chieftains into the PDP, with some securing the opposition party’s tickets for various elective positions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among those who have made the switch are Senator Saliu Mustapha, Honourable Kolo Jiya and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, who has emerged as the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State.
In Cross River State, PDP governorship candidate Arthus Davis is also set to challenge incumbent APC Governor Bassey Otu.
The development has added another dimension to the battle between the two major political parties, as politicians who previously operated within the APC now emerge as candidates under the PDP banner.
Speaking after the governors’ meeting, Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, said APC governors had unanimously agreed to reject any arrangement capable of weakening the party or affecting the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Uzodinma, the governors’ commitment would remain exclusively with APC candidates at all levels.
He said the party would not entertain arrangements that could result in divided loyalty, competing interests or confusion within its campaign structure.
The governors’ position is expected to further intensify the political contest ahead of 2027, particularly in states where former APC members are now seeking electoral victories under the PDP.
