By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

President Bola Tinubu has met former National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru at the Villa. Their discussions focused on the massive wave of defections currently strengthening the ruling party.

The talks addressed the “defection tsunami” as numerous opposition figures join the APC. Recent shifts include eight governors and dozens of federal lawmakers leaving the PDP and NNPP.

The APC has notably gained 27 House members and key governors from the South-South and North-West. This expansion significantly boosts the party’s territorial control ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The leadership is now strategizing on how to integrate these new members effectively. The goal is to absorb millions of supporters without causing friction with existing party stalwarts.

Officials want to avoid legal disputes during upcoming ward and local government congresses. They are prioritizing internal stability to prevent the crises that weakened previous state chapters.

A cohesive strategy is being developed to accommodate the influx of new power blocs. Leadership must balance the interests of veteran members with the needs of incoming heavyweights.

The party’s electronic registration exercise was also reviewed to manage the growing membership. This data will determine delegate strength for the upcoming zonal and state congresses nationwide.

Reflecting on the party’s rapid growth and management challenges, a top official stated, “The meeting focused on how we can manage the successes we have recorded so far. We have about eight opposition governors who joined our party in recent times. Many of them came with thousands and millions of key and notable supporters. We need to devise means to manage everyone, even as preparations for the elections begin in earnest.”