The wave of high-profile defections into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is far from over, as the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, revealed on Friday that more state governors are set to join its ranks in the coming months.
Speaking at a one-day seminar titled “Communicating Renewed Hope – A Capacity Building Seminar for APC Zonal and State Publicity Secretaries” in Abuja, Senator Basiru emphasized the importance of strategic communication in countering the rising tide of misinformation, ethnic division, and religious bigotry being allegedly promoted by opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, “Before now, people used to say, ‘don’t blow your trumpet.’ But if you don’t, your trumpet will get lost.” He criticized the deliberate use of fake news, where unrelated images from conflict zones like Somalia and Chad are falsely labeled as Nigerian incidents to mislead the public.
Senator Basiru further condemned former state leaders who now speak on international success stories while neglecting their local constituencies, some of which, he said, remain without basic infrastructure after eight years in office.
He also warned against the increasing use of ethnic and religious narratives to divide Nigerians, noting, “Growing up, ethnic fault lines weren’t this deep. Now, they are being exploited politically. Even individuals with questionable moral integrity now disguise themselves under religion for political gain.”
Highlighting APC’s growing strength, Basiru stated, “We currently have 23 governors, and more are on the way. Some of them are viable, while others are just trying to join the train. But beyond numbers, we must showcase what our governors are doing – it’s not just about noise, it’s about programs and tangible progress.”
Also speaking at the seminar, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, underscored the federal government’s economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu. He likened the reforms to laying the deep foundation for a skyscraper, explaining that while the results may not be immediately visible, they are crucial for long-term stability and growth.
Alake pointed to key reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates, describing them as bold moves that previous administrations failed to execute. “These two hydra-headed economic monsters were draining Nigeria. With their removal, states and local governments now have more revenue, many have cleared past debts, and are embarking on infrastructural development,” he said.
He noted that although some may not immediately grasp macroeconomic changes, indicators are pointing to a positive turnaround, with currency stabilization and increased public revenue being notable signs.
The event brought together APC publicity secretaries from across the country to strategize on how to better communicate the party’s achievements and counter negative narratives ahead of future elections.
