A senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Arch. Uche Rochas, has expressed doubts about the electoral prospects of governors who recently defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, stating that their moves may not translate into personal political success in some states.
Rochas made the remarks in a post shared on his verified X account on Saturday, January 3, 2026, while reacting to the increasing number of PDP governors aligning with the ruling APC ahead of future elections.
According to him, while the defecting governors could play a role in helping President Bola Tinubu secure the constitutionally required 25 percent of votes in their states, they lack the grassroots support necessary to win elections on the APC platform. He argued that their influence may be limited to boosting the party’s presidential vote spread rather than ensuring their own electoral victories.
Rochas specifically referenced states such as Enugu and Plateau, noting that the political landscape in those areas remains largely favorable to the PDP. He said this reality would make it difficult for governors who have switched parties to gain substantial acceptance among voters.
In his post, Rochas stated that the defectors’ presence in the APC may be strategically useful at the national level but insufficient for securing mandates at the state level. He described their role as largely supportive of the ruling party’s broader electoral calculations rather than a reflection of strong local backing.
The comments come amid ongoing political realignments as parties position themselves ahead of the next election cycle. Several defections from opposition parties to the APC have sparked debate about voter loyalty, party ideology, and the long-term impact of cross-party movements on Nigeria’s political landscape.
