…says North-west voting power bloc with 22m voters
Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is expecting more high-profile defections in the coming months, which he described as a growing confidence of Nigerians in the ruling party.
Abbas said this in Kaduna on Saturday, at the North-West Zonal Stakeholders Meeting of the APC. Abbas noted that since the 2023 general elections, the APC has secured governorships in 19 states and maintained the largest presence in both chambers of the National Assembly.
He added that this momentum has been further bolstered by the recent defections of federal lawmakers from Kano, Osun, Kebbi, Delta, and Edo states, bringing the total number of defections in the House to 25.
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“Notably, at the gubernatorial level, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, have decamped to our party, and we anticipate many more high-profile defections in the coming months, reflecting the growing confidence of Nigerians in our party and President Tinubu.
“Furthermore, we celebrate the APC’s victory in the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election, where Monday Okpebholo secured a decisive win for our party”, he said.
The Speaker described the North-West geopolitical zone as a voting power bloc in Nigeria elections, saying it is “a decisive force in shaping electoral outcomes.”
“It is essential to recognise that the North-West, as the zone with the largest voting bloc, boasting over 22 million registered voters according to INEC’s 2023 data, is not merely a peripheral actor but a decisive force in shaping electoral outcomes”, he added.
“However, while acknowledging our substantial voter base, it’s imperative to understand that numbers alone will not assure victory. Discipline and unity hold the key. Past elections have exposed divisions that we cannot allow to resurface; now is the time for collaboration and shared aspirations. I urge everyone involved to remain committed to the party’s values, maintain internal harmony, and foster a united front”, the Speaker further said.
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While noting that the North-West faces critical and urgent challenges, including rising insecurity, economic downturn, and diminishing agricultural productivity, Speaker Abbas stated that these issues require collective focus and call for a cohesive and strategic response.
The Speaker, therefore proposed the establishment of a zonal coordination platform that unites lawmakers, governors, and experts to identify priority areas and discuss the most effective ways for the government to address them.
“The party’s success in the North-West “will ultimately depend on our ability to ensure these issues are systematically addressed”, Abbas said.
