Amid growing anxiety over Nigeria’s political direction, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended the wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), asserting that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to choose their political allegiance.
Speaking on Thursday at the APC National Summit in Abuja—an event where the party also unveiled its two-year performance report—Tinubu emphasized that political realignments are grounded in free will, not coercion.
Responding to fears that Nigeria might be sliding into a one-party system, Tinubu dismissed such concerns. According to him, citizens simply exercise their constitutional rights when they switch parties. “Before I skip, I just need to tell those ones saying one-party system is no good: it’s one party ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians. Where do they start?” he asked pointedly.
He further explained the rationale behind the increasing number of defections to the APC, suggesting that politicians are abandoning opposition parties that no longer serve the people’s interest. “You don’t blame people bailing out of a sinking ship when they have no life jacket. We are in a constitutional democracy. Don’t forget, the freedom of movement and association is not criminally punishable. Welcome to the progressives—sweep them clean,” the president said.
Tinubu added that his administration is only halfway through its mandate, and that Nigerians’ continued faith is a sign of progress. “We are just halfway through the journey that began 24 months ago. The faithfulness of Nigerians in assessing how far we have progressed is steering our country along the critical path of our socio-economic development,” he stated.
His comments come amid rising criticism from opposition parties—including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—who accuse the APC of aggressively consolidating power by luring their members in a bid to dominate the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. These parties have warned that Nigeria could devolve into a de facto one-party state if the trend continues.
Several high-profile defections have intensified these concerns. In a dramatic political shift, six House of Representatives members from Delta State recently defected from the PDP to the APC. Even more striking were the defections of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and 2023 PDP vice-presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa. The Labour Party has also seen its ranks thinned as members continue to join the ruling party.
However, the APC has rejected accusations of orchestrating defections through intimidation or inducement, insisting instead that its growing appeal is based on effective governance and popular support. In a show of internal confidence and unity, the National Assembly and the APC officially endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in 2027 during the summit.
‘Economic Reforms Are Working’
In his keynote speech, President Tinubu also addressed the economic fallout of his sweeping reforms, maintaining that the decisions taken since his assumption of office in May 2023 were difficult but necessary for long-term stability.
He defended his administration’s removal of fuel subsidies and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market—two moves that have significantly altered the country’s economic landscape. While these measures triggered a wave of inflation and deepened the cost-of-living crisis—nearly half of the population now lives in poverty—Tinubu remained steadfast in his conviction that they are vital to Nigeria’s future.
“Today, I am proud to announce that our economic reforms are working,” he declared. Reflecting on the controversial decision to remove the fuel subsidy, the president said, “There is nothing good that comes easy in life.
“All of you have been through life. I only threw in a little casual decision to make it easy at the beginning. The subsidy is gone—and it was gone for the good of this country. We couldn’t just afford to spend the future of our children and our unborn babies ahead of their birth.”
He also pointed to his administration’s commitment to tackling poverty and corruption, referencing a high-profile anti-corruption case involving the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele. “You could see the EFCC recovering over 753 houses from one person locally here,” Tinubu stated, portraying the crackdown as evidence of progress.
The president argued that past mismanagement—especially the manipulation of exchange rates—encouraged corruption and undermined development. “We pledged to tackle poverty and remove insecurity. How fast would you have reconstructed this country if you had allowed the arbitrage in the exchange rate to continue? That is the grandfather of corruption,” he said.
Tinubu added that his government’s efforts are now attracting more foreign investment, which he claimed would create jobs and improve the quality of life for Nigerians. “Because of the reforms, our country now attracts greater foreign investment that will ultimately create jobs and produce much-needed goods and services that will significantly improve the standard of living in our country,” he said.
Fighting Pushbacks and Internal Challenges
The president acknowledged that his administration has faced intense opposition from various quarters, but he asserted that neither criticism nor resistance has shaken the resolve of his government. He also criticized elements in society for turning a blind eye to fundamental issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.
“They fought us with everything at their disposal, but we never said die—we carried on. They created artificial scarcity. They thought this party would collapse. But we must persevere—not give up. It is not the easy way out,” Tinubu said.
He lamented the state of basic infrastructure and education in many parts of the country. “It is a shame if today there are communities without potable water, and a shame that self-serving elites will not think about out-of-school children. But we are the progressives. We will press on,” he added.
Turning his gaze beyond Nigeria’s borders, Tinubu called for renewed optimism and collective ambition for both the country and the continent. “We have the opportunity to make this continent a great one—not just Nigeria. Truly, we are the giant. But the elephant that is holding us back is indiscipline, corruption, and abuse of power.
“The resuscitation of Nigeria’s economy is here. If we are where we are in the first two years, then in the next two, we will be great.”
Thursday’s APC National Summit drew attendance from top-tier government officials and party stalwarts. Among those present were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, APC governors, and other high-ranking leaders, signaling strong support for Tinubu’s administration and political direction.
What you should know
President Tinubu has defended the recent wave of defections to the APC as constitutionally protected, rejecting claims that Nigeria is veering toward a one-party state.
He reaffirmed his belief that the government’s economic reforms—including subsidy removal and anti-corruption efforts—are beginning to yield results.
Despite significant public hardship and pushback, Tinubu insists that the path taken is necessary for sustainable national development, while projecting even greater strides over the next two years.
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