Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the recent defections of governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as driven by "personal survival" rather than genuine party strength or popularity.
In a statement issued on Friday, February 27, 2026, through his media adviser Paul Ibe, Atiku reacted to Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri's defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Fintiri announced his move in a statewide broadcast, citing the need to attract more federal support and accelerate development in Adamawa.
He defected alongside his entire cabinet, with 22 commissioners and special advisers following suit shortly after.Atiku, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), acknowledged that politicians have the freedom to choose their platforms but argued that such moves by governors reflect pressure and intimidation rather than the APC's appeal.
“Governors may defect for personal survival. Nigerians are defecting in their millions because they want survival,” Atiku stated.
He downplayed the significance of Fintiri's defection occurring in Atiku's home state and warned that it does not guarantee electoral success for President Bola Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku framed the upcoming polls as a direct contest between the APC and the Nigerian people, predicting a tough challenge for the ruling party in convincing voters amid widespread hardship.
The defection brings the APC's tally of controlled governorships to 30 out of 36 states, further weakening the PDP, which is now left with only a handful of states.
Atiku's comments come as political realignments intensify ahead of 2027, with opposition figures emphasizing that forced or survival-driven switches will not translate into broad public support.
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