Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is on the verge of a major defection crisis as top party figures, including former National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, ex-Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and Senator Ali Ndume, prepare to leave the party.
Investigations reveal that at least ten former ministers from Muhammadu Buhari’s administration are plotting their exit, with many eyeing a move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) or other political coalitions.
A Senator from the ninth National Assembly, who spoke anonymously to Punch, disclosed that these party chieftains, Senators, and former federal cabinet members are only waiting for party structures to be finalized in their respective states before making their move official.
Leading Buhari’s loyalists in the defections are the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu; ex-Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan: and former Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba.
Former Senate President David Mark is also rumored to be playing a crucial role in the coalition’s formation.
A senior APC chieftain in Imo State further confirmed that the defections are being driven by members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) faction, the political base of former President Buhari. According to him, this group, which played a pivotal role in APC’s formation, is now disenchanted with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and is actively working on an exit strategy.
“The CPC bloc is leaving, and if it does, the APC will never be the same again,” he stated. “The President has mismanaged the party’s success, and it’s painful to see things deteriorate daily. Political parties grow by expanding, not by shrinking, but the APC seems to be doing the opposite.”
He further revealed that aside from Nasir El-Rufai, several other former governors are also involved in the political movement. “These are not paperweight politicians,” he emphasized.
Amid growing discontent within the APC, analysts warn that this wave of defections could significantly alter Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. With major players abandoning ship, Tinubu’s hold on the party faces its biggest challenge yet.