•Describes defection to APC as endorsement of Tinubu’s policies

From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State, Abdullahi Jalo Castic, has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 was already taking shape, saying the wave of defections into the ruling party across states is a reflection of growing confidence in the administration’s performance.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Sun, he said the increasing movement of governors, lawmakers and other officials into the APC signals a massive consolidation of political strength ahead of the next general elections.

He described the development as a strong endorsement of Tinubu’s policies and visible achievements recorded under his leadership.

“You can see what is happening. Governors and key political figures are joining APC with their structures, councillors, chairmen, commissioners and even market women. This means people have started appreciating what President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima are doing for the country,” he said.

According to him, the wave of support being experienced across communities is not the product of formal campaign activities but an organic expression of satisfaction with the government’s performance. “There is no need for mobilisation again. People have been mobilised already,” he said, stressing that citizens at the grassroots level are more enlightened and increasingly responsive to development-based governance. He further argued that visible projects and tangible interventions by the Tinubu administration were winning over the populace, citing examples such as improved infrastructure renewal. “When people see development around them, they naturally align with the government delivering it,” he added.

On the political dynamics within Gombe State, the APC stalwart dismissed rumours about Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s possible successor, noting that the governor was yet to make any pronouncement on the matter.

“With the kind of political realignment and awareness we are seeing now, the handwriting is already on the wall. Tinubu can sleep easy because 2027 is already speaking for itself,” he stated.