Obi’s media aide, handlers in talks to join APC - Presidency reveals

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to attract high-profile defections from opposition parties.

Recent reports indicate that key members of Peter Obi's Labour Party (LP) team are in talks to join the APC.

Daniel Bwala, President Bola Tinubu's Special Adviser on Media and Policy, revealed in a television interview that one of Obi’s handlers has already defected, while another handler and a media aide are currently in discussions with the party.

"Take, for example, Peter Obi—one of his handlers is with us. The second handler is in talks with us. One of his media spokesmen is in talks with us,” Bwala stated.

He emphasised that these moves are not financially motivated but stem from a belief in the APC's vision.

“Nobody is giving anybody kobo, but because they realise we are not perfect as a government, but our hearts are right, our head is correct, and we are creating a national consensus,” he added.

This development is part of a broader trend of defections to the APC.

In Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa recently led a significant portion of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) structure into the APC.

However, the integration has faced challenges, as some defectors have been hesitant to fully commit, leading to tensions with existing APC members.

Nationally, the APC has also seen defections into the party from other prominent figures, including former Kaduna State Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero, Senators Shehu Sani and Suleiman Hunkuyi, and former Senate President Pius Anyim.

These shifts indicate a significant realignment in Nigeria's political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Labour Party has yet to respond officially to the claims regarding Obi's aides.

Political analysts suggest that these defections could impact the party's cohesion and influence in the lead-up to future electoral contests.