₦airaland Forum

Since Tinubu took office, several governors from Southern Nigeria have defected to the ruling APC.

Fresh details have emerged revealing how President Bola Tinubu struck a secret deal with some Southern governors to conduct all elections in one day in November 2026.

SaharaReporters learnt that it is part of a broader plot to tighten control over Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the next general polls.

Multiple credible sources told SaharaReporters that the ongoing wave of defections by governors, lawmakers, and top politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was not coincidental but part of an understanding reached during a closed-door meeting between Tinubu and several Southern governors.

Since Tinubu took office, several governors from Southern Nigeria have defected to the ruling APC.

For instance, in April 2025, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, along with his deputy and commissioners, left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC. 


Delta State, a PDP stronghold since 1999, had never seen such a shift in its top leadership. The move was described by President Tinubu as a “political tsunami” and was celebrated by APC leaders as a major victory.

Oborevwori’s predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, also defected to the APC, further deepening the party’s grip on the state. 

In Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah made headlines when he defected to the APC in October 2025. 

Like Delta, Enugu had been under PDP control since the return to civilian rule in 1999. 

Bayelsa State also joined the trend, with its governor recently resigning from the PDP.

According to insiders, Tinubu assured the governors seeking re-election that his government would guarantee their return to office if they dumped their parties and joined the APC. 

In exchange, the governors reportedly proposed that all elections, that is, presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly, be held on the same day or that the presidential election be conducted last to prevent post-election betrayal.

Sources said Tinubu agreed to the one-day election proposal.

“The mass exodus of politicians to Tinubu’s APC party was hatched after a secret meeting with Southern governors, where he promised to guarantee their re-election if they all joined the APC,” one of the sources said.

“In turn, they also proposed to him that all elections should be held in one day or that the presidential election should come last so as to forestall any betrayal. Tinubu purportedly agreed to conduct the elections in one day."

According to sources, the President also consented to doing away with the electronic transmission of results from polling units, one of the key transparency features of the 2022 Electoral Act. 

Instead, results would be transmitted only from collation centres, a move observers believe would make manipulation easier at the state level.

“They agreed to do away with electronic transmission of results, but have that done at the collation centres, not the polling units,” one of the sources said. 

The idea is to have total control of the electoral process and avoid situations where early results influence later elections or spark rebellion among allies.

The plan also includes shifting the general elections from the usual February–March schedule to November 2026.

Meanwhile, the development reportedly led to a major fallout between the Tinubu administration and the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu. 

According to Presidency sources, Yakubu was offered an extension of his tenure to ensure his cooperation with the 2026 plan, but he declined.

His recognition of the takeover of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and move to register new political parties infuriated powerful figures within the President’s inner circle. 

The hawks in Tinubu’s kitchen cabinet reportedly mounted intense pressure on him, leading to his abrupt exit from the Commission.

“He offended the Tinubu government with his move to register new parties and also recognising the takeover of ADC. The ferocious way the hawks in Tinubu’s kitchen cabinet came after him forced him out of INEC abruptly, leading to his resignation,” one of the sources said.

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Prof. Joash Amupitan as the new INEC Chairman after a screening session and voice vote by lawmakers.

Earlier, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that concerns within the Presidency drove Yakubu’s exit from the Commission a month before he was due to retire. 

First, he was reportedly working to register new political parties before the end of his tenure, a move said to have unsettled Tinubu’s inner circle.

Second, there were fears that he could not be “trusted” to deliver outcomes favourable to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in both the new party registration process, if at all it happens, and the upcoming Anambra election.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma was said to have personally taken the matter to President Tinubu after returning from his recent overseas trip, warning that Yakubu’s continued stay could “destabilise” the APC’s plans for the 2027 electoral cycle.

Uzodinma also reported to Tinubu that Yakubu was planning to impose a close friend in Imo State, and part of the plan was to register a party he could use.

Following this meeting, Tinubu reportedly directed Yakubu to stop performing any official INEC duties and to proceed on terminal leave. However, a leak published by SaharaReporters reportedly forced a brief delay in the announcement of his removal.

https://saharareporters.com/2025/10/17/exclusive-tinubu-strikes-secret-deal-southern-governors-conduct-all-elections-one-day

I am not surprise to read about the agreement reached between President Tinubu and the first term Governors, the next agreement will be the national assembly.

truthera:
Since Tinubu took office, several governors from Southern Nigeria have defected to the ruling APC.

Fresh details have emerged revealing how President Bola Tinubu struck a secret deal with some Southern governors to conduct all elections in one day in November 2026.

SaharaReporters learnt that it is part of a broader plot to tighten control over Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the next general polls.

Multiple credible sources told SaharaReporters that the ongoing wave of defections by governors, lawmakers, and top politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was not coincidental but part of an understanding reached during a closed-door meeting between Tinubu and several Southern governors.

Since Tinubu took office, several governors from Southern Nigeria have defected to the ruling APC.

For instance, in April 2025, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, along with his deputy and commissioners, left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC. 


Delta State, a PDP stronghold since 1999, had never seen such a shift in its top leadership. The move was described by President Tinubu as a “political tsunami” and was celebrated by APC leaders as a major victory.

Oborevwori’s predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, also defected to the APC, further deepening the party’s grip on the state. 

In Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah made headlines when he defected to the APC in October 2025. 

Like Delta, Enugu had been under PDP control since the return to civilian rule in 1999. 

Bayelsa State also joined the trend, with its governor recently resigning from the PDP.

According to insiders, Tinubu assured the governors seeking re-election that his government would guarantee their return to office if they dumped their parties and joined the APC. 

In exchange, the governors reportedly proposed that all elections, that is, presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly, be held on the same day or that the presidential election be conducted last to prevent post-election betrayal.

Sources said Tinubu agreed to the one-day election proposal.

“The mass exodus of politicians to Tinubu’s APC party was hatched after a secret meeting with Southern governors, where he promised to guarantee their re-election if they all joined the APC,” one of the sources said.

“In turn, they also proposed to him that all elections should be held in one day or that the presidential election should come last so as to forestall any betrayal. Tinubu purportedly agreed to conduct the elections in one day."

According to sources, the President also consented to doing away with the electronic transmission of results from polling units, one of the key transparency features of the 2022 Electoral Act. 

Instead, results would be transmitted only from collation centres, a move observers believe would make manipulation easier at the state level.

“They agreed to do away with electronic transmission of results, but have that done at the collation centres, not the polling units,” one of the sources said. 

The idea is to have total control of the electoral process and avoid situations where early results influence later elections or spark rebellion among allies.

The plan also includes shifting the general elections from the usual February–March schedule to November 2026.

Meanwhile, the development reportedly led to a major fallout between the Tinubu administration and the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu. 

According to Presidency sources, Yakubu was offered an extension of his tenure to ensure his cooperation with the 2026 plan, but he declined.

His recognition of the takeover of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and move to register new political parties infuriated powerful figures within the President’s inner circle. 

The hawks in Tinubu’s kitchen cabinet reportedly mounted intense pressure on him, leading to his abrupt exit from the Commission.

“He offended the Tinubu government with his move to register new parties and also recognising the takeover of ADC. The ferocious way the hawks in Tinubu’s kitchen cabinet came after him forced him out of INEC abruptly, leading to his resignation,” one of the sources said. 

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Prof. Joash Amupitan as the new INEC Chairman after a screening session and voice vote by lawmakers.

Earlier, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that concerns within the Presidency drove Yakubu’s exit from the Commission a month before he was due to retire. 

First, he was reportedly working to register new political parties before the end of his tenure, a move said to have unsettled Tinubu’s inner circle.

Second, there were fears that he could not be “trusted” to deliver outcomes favourable to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in both the new party registration process, if at all it happens, and the upcoming Anambra election.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma was said to have personally taken the matter to President Tinubu after returning from his recent overseas trip, warning that Yakubu’s continued stay could “destabilise” the APC’s plans for the 2027 electoral cycle.

Uzodinma also reported to Tinubu that Yakubu was planning to impose a close friend in Imo State, and part of the plan was to register a party he could use.

Following this meeting, Tinubu reportedly directed Yakubu to stop performing any official INEC duties and to proceed on terminal leave. However, a leak published by SaharaReporters reportedly forced a brief delay in the announcement of his removal.

https://saharareporters.com/2025/10/17/exclusive-tinubu-strikes-secret-deal-southern-governors-conduct-all-elections-one-day

This explains the wave of defections. The Northern governors will be at a disadvantage if this materialises. Tinubu is clearly desperate and jittery despite having the 36 state governors. Paul Biya the "master strategist" will trade anyone and bend the rules of the game just to have his way, but he's simply unelectable. This will become clearer, heading into 2026.

Outright fabrications from Saharareporters as usual. That’s how the blog lied to Nigerians that Wale Edun was down with stroke only for the minister to appear in public walking and standing very well. They even lied in this publication that Prof. Yakubu resigned when every one knows that Yakubu’s tenure ended this October.

The few comments so far shows indeed too many idiots in this nation. Yakubu cannot be given am extension, such is not even known to law..that mistake alone makes the whole article a fabricated lie. I don't support Tinubu or APC but Sahara reporters should stop these lies.

seunmsg:
Outright fabrications from Saharareporters as usual. That’s how the blog lied to Nigerians that Wale Edun was down with stroke only for the minister to appear in public walking and standing very well. They even lied in this publication that Prof. Yakubu resigned when every one knows that Yakubu’s tenure ended this October.

If all these turn out to be true, you will simply find another excuse and justification for it. What is hidden in the dark will eventually reveal itself.

This poorly written script . Disjointed and unconvincing

Even the writer doesn't believe what he's writing.

Next news, please

Can the opposition strike their own deal too? Both Atiku and the agulu president and their supporters are just confused. ADC association of failed politicians.

seunmsg:
Outright fabrications from Saharareporters as usual. That’s how the blog lied to Nigerians that Wale Edun was down with stroke only for the minister to appear in public walking and standing very well. They even lied in this publication that Prof. Yakubu resigned when every one knows that Yakubu’s tenure ended this October.

But our admin has instructed us to debunk such news and avoid commenting on them for now to avoid being suspended from the Agbado WhatsApp group

Did the Inec chairman resign? Sahara and fake news

Did you not read the quote below.

Following this meeting, Tinubu reportedly directed Yakubu to stop performing any official INEC duties and to proceed on terminal leave. However, a leak published by SaharaReporters reportedly forced a brief delay in the announcement of his removal.

Sahara reporters stated that a leak delayed his removal.

seunmsg:
Outright fabrications from Saharareporters as usual. That’s how the blog lied to Nigerians that Wale Edun was down with stroke only for the minister to appear in public walking and standing very well. They even lied in this publication that Prof. Yakubu resigned when every one knows that Yakubu’s tenure ended this October.

I guess you did not read the article to the end where it stated a leak forced delay to removd the INEC chairman as the initial plan was to remove him before the end of his tenor.

Koralords:
Did the Inec chairman resign? Sahara and fake news

but how can all elections be held on the same day? that would be near impossible

the governors reportedly proposed that all elections, that is, presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly, be held on the same day or that the presidential election be conducted last to prevent post-election betrayal.


Goodness because there will be betrayal from the electorates

The fear shows that he didn't win in 2023. If he actually won in 2023 and the country is doing well, he does not need all these defections to win, he needs only the masses. If he is doing well, he only needs to make the votes of the masses count.

Why is it that Peter Obi and his supporters call for INEC and tinubu to allow votes count, while timubi wants to win through Eyeneck, sister judiciary, and the governors? How many votes does a governor have?

Sahara reporters at it again.

That's Tinubu for you...

Lols....exactly my thought seeing their usual bait for the emotionally gullible online FG haters: 'Multiple credible sources told SaharaReporters that the ongoing wave of defections....'

seunmsg:
Outright fabrications from Saharareporters as usual. That’s how the blog lied to Nigerians that Wale Edun was down with stroke only for the minister to appear in public walking and standing very well. They even lied in this publication that Prof. Yakubu resigned when every one knows that Yakubu’s tenure ended this October.

seunmsg:
Outright fabrications from Saharareporters as usual. That’s how the blog lied to Nigerians that Wale Edun was down with stroke only for the minister to appear in public walking and standing very well. They even lied in this publication that Prof. Yakubu resigned when every one knows that Yakubu’s tenure ended this October.

This is not a fabricated story,Prof Amupitan was first made mention by Sahara Reporters today we have seen the results.