Former Deputy Senate Majority Leader and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Bala Na’Allah, has played down the political weight of recent defections into the ruling party, insisting that they do not automatically translate into victory in the 2027 general elections.
Na’Allah made the remarks on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, against the backdrop of growing public attention on the influx of politicians into the APC.
His comments followed reports of defections by several state governors to the ruling party, including Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; and Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, among others who have exited their former parties.
According to Na’Allah, electoral success is driven more by good governance and the ability to persuade the electorate than by the sheer number of defectors joining a political party.
“The APC has to work seriously to convince the people that whatever they are going through is reasonably necessary for the purpose of positioning the country for a greater future,” he said.
He further asserted that the APC was founded with a clear vision for national renewal, arguing that no other party was formed with better intentions for Nigeria.
“I can conveniently say that no party was formed and came with the best intentions for Nigeria better than the APC,” Na’Allah added.
Reflecting on the circumstances surrounding the formation of the APC, he recalled that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power at the time and had, in his view, failed to inspire confidence in Nigerians after years in office.
“Don’t forget that the ruling party then was the PDP. When the APC came, we were very few members who believed that the trajectory of the PDP, after years of ruling, did not give Nigerians the comfort to feel that their country was in safe hands,” he said.
On the wave of recent defections, Na’Allah maintained that the ultimate test would be performance at the state level by those who currently hold executive authority.
“These defections are by people who hold authority in their respective states. To a large extent, what they are able to do in those states will determine the level of followership,” he said.