Seven governors remain outside the APC, betting on local legitimacy and performance to withstand growing federal political pressure.
As defections reshape Nigeria’s political map, the APC now controls about 29 states, leaving seven governors outside federal power, each relying on performance, stability, ideology or political survival to resist mounting pressure to defect, according to a BusinessDay analysis.
List of governors:
- Bala Mohammed (Bauchi): PDP Governors’ Forum chair, serving as the main rallying figure for opposition.
- Seyi Makinde (Oyo): Strong local performance makes federal alignment unnecessary.
- Dauda Lawal (Zamfara): Defection could undermine his reformist 2023 mandate.
- Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa): Prioritises political stability over partisan realignment.
- Alex Otti (Abia): Governance record reduces need for federal protection.
- Ademola Adeleke (Osun): Relies on grassroots popularity and local structures.
- Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra): Maintains APGA autonomy while cooperating with the centre.