The Centre for Ethics, Rights and Orientations in Nigeria (CERON) has warned the All-Progressives Congress (APC) that recent defections by state governors to the ruling party will not, by themselves, determine success in the 2027 general elections.
The organisation made the remarks in a statement issued on Monday, February 2, 2026. A wave of political realignments has seen several governors elected under opposition platforms join the APC in the run-up to the 2027 polls.
These moves have reshaped the political landscape and expanded the ruling party’s control in a significant number of states. However, critics argue that numerical strength through defections may not mirror grassroots electoral support.
In its statement, CERON said that voter choice remains paramount in a democracy and that numerical gains in political affiliations do not necessarily translate into votes on election day.
The group cited the 2023 presidential election in Lagos State as an example where the ruling party’s control at the state level did not secure victory at the polls.
It noted that the APC lost Lagos State in 2023 despite having strong organisational presence there, indicating that electoral outcomes are influenced by voter preferences, performance records and campaign engagement rather than just party dominance.
CERON also emphasised the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process, urging political parties and candidates to focus on policies and public trust rather than relying solely on defections to build winning coalitions.
It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that elections are conducted fairly and transparently, saying that free and credible polls would reflect the true will of the electorate.
The organisation expressed concern that heavy emphasis on defections might divert attention from substantive issues such as economic hardship, insecurity and governance performance, which could be decisive factors for voters in 2027.
It urged political actors to present platforms that resonate with citizens’ expectations rather than just celebrating numerical additions to party ranks.
In the statement, CERON said: “Control of positions does not automatically translate to control of votes at the polls. The people remain the ultimate deciders in a democracy.”
The warning from CERON underscores broader debates about the impact of political defections on Nigeria’s democratic process.
Analysts say that while high-profile defections can influence perceptions of party strength, they do not substitute for voter engagement, robust policy platforms and responsiveness to public needs.
The statement highlights ongoing concerns that electoral dynamics are shaped more by voter confidence and issues-based politics than by factional shifts alone.
CERON’s warning to the APC signals that the path to victory in the 2027 general elections requires more than absorbing defectors.
The organisation emphasised the continuing role of voters in deciding electoral outcomes and urged political stakeholders to prioritise credible engagement and performance records over headline-grabbing defections.
