Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Yekeen Nabena, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the ruling party against assuming that the recent wave of defections from opposition parties in the South-South region would automatically translate into electoral victory for the APC.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Nabena said the party must approach the influx of defectors with caution to avoid internal crises and disruption of existing political structures.
“These governors that are coming, are they coming genuinely or with their own motives?” he queried. “Some are almost losing elections in their states. We must look closely at who they are and what they are bringing to the party.”
The Bayelsa-born politician stressed that while defections could strengthen the APC numerically, they also carry the risk of factional tension if not well managed.
He noted that in states like Bayelsa, Delta, and Enugu, the APC faces complex political dynamics and entrenched opposition forces that could frustrate the party’s efforts to consolidate its base.
“Coming isn’t the problem; managing them with the people on ground already is,” Nabena warned. “If not handled well, it could lead to confusion and even implosion within the party.”
The former APC spokesperson advised the national leadership to prioritise internal harmony, especially in reconciling long-standing party members with incoming defectors. According to him, such balance is essential to avoid alienating grassroots supporters who have sustained the party’s presence in the region.
He also expressed concern over what he described as the “weak coordinating capacity” of the APC national secretariat, saying it lacks the political structure and authority needed to harmonise diverse interests within the party.
“The national secretariat has not shown the capacity to unite factions or manage internal disputes effectively. We’ve seen it before — appointed leaders who failed to reconcile members end up worsening divisions,” Nabena added.
Political observers say Nabena’s warning reflects growing unease among some APC stakeholders over the long-term impact of the recent defections, amid ongoing realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
