The three PDP senators from Kebbi State on Tuesday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) almost in the same way key leaders of the party in Delta State, some weeks earlier, decamped to the ruling party in what many critics have described as a scandalous political desertion. As the wave of defections continues, observers are not only being horrified by the absence of ideological interest demonstrated by the decampees but also by their brazen demonstration of hollowness.
The senators – former governor Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Senator Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) – cited the ‘crisis’ in the PDP as their reason for switching, according to their letters read by the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, in the upper chamber. However, critics claim they are merely searching for fresh grazing field and, possibly, ducking away from the arrows of the law.
Curiously, the senators also claimed that they were attracted to the ruling APC by the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Tinubu, despite its failure to tame insecurity, poverty and hopelessness after two years of the administration.
SHALLOW EXCUSES
The pure lack of conviction betrayed in the process of the defections, especially when the defectors don’t even seem to belief in the reason they adduce for their political prostitution has made commentators argue that they are being coerced or blackmailed into joining the ruling party.
But the leadership of the Senate has dismissed this insinuation and have even argued that defection is a normal occurrence in democracies. The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, and the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, canvassed this position in their separate comments after reading the defection letters of the three Kebbi senators.
According to Bamidele, “No one is being coerced. If anyone will be coerced, definitely it is not Senator Adamu Aliero, it is not Prof. Yahya Abdulahi that will be coerced, neither is it Senator Maidoki who had also made a mark in the private sector before he ever ventured into politics. They are not in politics so that they can feed. But they recognise the fact that this is not the time for us to grandstand. This is the time for all of us to work together to take Nigeria to the next level. And I say it again for the up-to-date time. Those who refer to this parliament as a rubber stamp should know that we are at a very critical stage of our national life when all hands will be on deck. It will not matter what party you belong to. What will matter to you is overriding public interest.”
In the same vein, Barau, while congratulating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, who was on ground to receive the three Kebbi senators, said it was an indication that both the president and the party chairman are working well.
“Let me congratulate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for this very big gain by the ruling party. Also, congratulations to the national chairman of the party for this gain. Of course, himself and the president have been working together and we have seen the results in the number of people coming to the party.
“It’s just a sign that the government is doing well and that’s why people are attracted because of the performance of the government. So all we need to tell Mr. President is that we commend what he’s doing. We also commend the government of Kebbi State, the presence of your governor here shows that you are working in harmony with your people,” he said.
Regardless, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, a senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, saw it differently.
Chinda described the mass movement of lawmakers to the ruling party as a grave development, warning that it could seriously damage Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
“These defections are not merely weakening the opposition,” Chinda said, insisting that “they are eroding the very core of our democracy.”
He added: “It raises critical questions about the commitment and loyalty of those crossing over. Can the APC truly trust the new entrants? History shows that the same defections that fuel the current wave could reverse direction just before the 2027 elections.”
Arguing further, he said: “The lack of a clear ideological foundation in Nigerian political parties has created a vacuum that is being exploited. As a caucus, we must push for legislative reforms that discourage party-hopping while ensuring the right to freedom of association.”
NO PECULIARITY
But the Deputy Spokesman of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese, representing Ado/ Ogbadibo/ Okpokwu Federal Constituency under the APC, defended the defections, noting that political realignments are a natural component of any dynamic democracy.
“These defections reflect personal convictions and are part of the evolving nature of our political system. The APC’s policies and vision have attracted those who believe they can make a positive impact on the nation,” he said.
While acknowledging that defetions could potentially weaken the opposition, Agbese emphasised that the role of the legislature and judiciary was crucial to maintaining a balanced political environment.
“While defections may signal dissatisfaction or ideological shifts, institutions like the legislature and judiciary must ensure that the process is transparent and that the integrity of the opposition is preserved,” he pointed out.
Hon. Terseer Ugbor, member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency on the APC platform, echoed similar sentiments, dismissing claims that the APC was orchestrating a one-party system.
“The defections are a result of internal issues within the opposition, particularly the PDP,” Ugbor said. “The increasing appeal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership is driving politicians to align themselves with a platform that offers stability and a greater chance of political survival.”
Ugbor further stressed that despite the APC’s current majority in the National Assembly, the party does not yet possess the overwhelming dominance that the PDP once enjoyed during its prime years.
According to him, “Even at its peak, the PDP had a much stronger majority than the APC has today. The defections we are seeing are not part of any orchestrated attempt to dismantle the opposition; rather, they reflect a natural shift based on political realities and strategic calculations.”
He said many defections stemmed from the PDP’s inability to inspire unity or a coherent strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The PDP is failing to provide a unified platform for its members. Politicians want to run on a stable and cohesive platform, one that maximises their chances of re-election,” he said.
Another defector, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, a former member of the House of Representatives from Delta State, confirmed his recent move from the PDP to the APC. Ossai, who represented Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency and had been a prominent figure within the PDP, explained that his decision was driven by a desire to align with President Tinubu’s leadership and contribute to national development.
“I have no regrets about my decision to join the APC. I believe in the vision of President Tinubu, and I am committed to working towards the progress of Ndokwa nation and Nigeria as a whole,” Ossai stated.
He emphasised that his defection was motivated by a desire for tangible development for his constituents, noting that many others making similar moves share the same objective.
“Defectors see more promise in the APC’s platform for effecting real change. There is no wrongdoing in pursuing a path that aligns with one’s values and aspirations,” Ossai added.
2027 PREDICTION
Regardless, Chief Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that those defecting to the APC from the PDP would be put to shame by the electorate at the proper time.
The Atona oodua of Yorubaland who spoke on Arise TV on Tuesday, while reacting to the defection of the three senators from Kebbi State, noted that as long as the election would be free and fair all those who have left the PDP for the APC would be shamed at the ballot.
He said: “All the defectors will be put to shame. What has the APC done that has positively impacted Nigerians that will make them want to vote for the APC again? Look at the issue in Delta State, when they got there, the Governor, the former Governor and all of them that landed in APC, met a structure. The fight will come out because those who are there before asked them, ‘what do you think, you’re coming to do? The electorate will see us come out and there’ll be fairness, justice and equity, and they’ll support us’.”
As for those still planning to defect, he said: “Those who don’t want to be part of us should be shown the gate, and it’s only NEC that can fire, not anybody else.”
PDP’S IMMINENT END?
In a rather gloating manner, Ganduje, the APC National Chairman, and Nyesom Wike, Minister of the FCT, proclaimed that the destruction of the PDP is imminent.
Ganduje, who said the PDP was on its way to extinction, was reacting to remarks by former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, who claimed APC would soon disintegrate and that former PDP members, including Ganduje, would return to the opposition party.
The APC chairman, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, said such remarks were “baseless and illogical”.
He said: “In fact, we will soon receive Sule Lamido because soon, he won’t have a place to go. The PDP is dead. It is evident to any discerning observer that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the APC continues to gain momentum, with prominent political figures across the country defecting to the party in large numbers.
“With such overwhelming national support, the APC remains focused on consolidating its achievements and preparing for a resounding victory in the 2027 general elections.”
Echoing Ganduje’s position, Wike said the PDP would soon implode due to the insincerity of its leaders who were only fixated on fighting him because he took a job with an APC-led administration.
Wike also warned that ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the PDP was already acting with impunity and making the same mistakes that made it lose the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking during a media parley in Abuja, the FCT minister said: “First of all, I believe in sincerity. If you must achieve results, be sincere. Some people think that telling half-truths or being too smart will help you. Rather, it destroys you. If PDP does not take care, and I say it again, watch out what will happen. You know, selfish interest can kill an organisation.”
Responding to these statements, the chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Wabara, predicted that the PDP would rise again, reaffirming its unity and strength as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Wabara made the declaration during the formal inauguration of newly nominated BoT members in Abuja. The ceremony was held at the National Executive Committee, NEC, Hall.
STRANGE OPTIMISM
Speaking at the event, the former Senate President said: “The PDP has risen and the PDP will triumph in 2027. We remain committed to producing leaders who will serve with dedication and integrity, prioritising the interests of all Nigerians. As long as the Board of Trustees remains vibrant, the PDP remains alive. The PDP shall rise again, and I am confident in our collective resolve to achieve this.”
Meanwhile, the PDP governors have appointed former Senate president, Bukola Saraki, as chairman of its reconciliation committee to reach out to aggrieved members to ensure the opposition party has a rancour free National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and national convention.
Observers who are worried by the rash of defections in the polity are anxiously wishing that the PDP as well as the factionalised Labour Party would be able to overcome their internal feud and constitute a force to return Nigeria to a true democratic nation with a ruling party and strong opposition to keep the government on its toes.