Abuja — Prominent opposition voices including Peter Obi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Senator Seriake Dickson have criticized the ongoing wave of defections of governors and lawmakers from opposition parties — particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Their reactions follow the recent defections of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and the resignation of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, both of whom, alongside state lawmakers and officials, have now joined the APC.
Before now, several senators and members of the House of Representatives had similarly switched allegiance from the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP to the APC, further strengthening the ruling party’s dominance.
Obi: “Nobody Can Capture the South-East”
Reacting to the development, Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi dismissed the notion that the defections could guarantee APC’s control of the South-East, insisting that political power ultimately lies with the people.
He said:
“Peter Mbah is my good friend, and I believe he made his decision based on his own political calculations. But we’re not in a military era where you ‘capture’ people. Leaders must earn trust through performance, not intimidation.”
On the planned protest for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, Obi reaffirmed his consistent stance, saying:
“There was no need for his arrest in the first place. Dialogue, consultation, and negotiation remain the best approach.”
The former Anambra governor also urged the new INEC Chairman, Dr. Amupitan, to ensure credible elections ahead of 2027, adding that leadership positions are temporary and should be used to strengthen democracy.
ADC: “Tinubu’s One-Party State Is Unfolding”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) described the defections as a dangerous attempt to transform Nigeria into a one-party state under President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said:
“The defections of the governors of Enugu and Bayelsa confirm our warning that President Tinubu is bent on turning Nigeria into a one-party state, regardless of the cost to democracy.”
The ADC accused defected governors of betraying their constituents and abandoning the opposition’s role of holding the ruling party accountable.
“What’s happening isn’t strength for the APC — it’s weakness for democracy,” Abdullahi said. “Nigerians are enduring insecurity, rising food prices, and economic hardship. Yet, politicians are busy switching camps instead of finding solutions.”
The party vowed that opposition coalitions would resist any move to erode Nigeria’s democratic pluralism, saying the 2027 elections would be a “battle between the people and Tinubu’s APC.”
Dickson: “I Remain Firmly in PDP”
In his response, Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) distanced himself from Governor Diri’s defection, pledging unwavering loyalty to the PDP.
“I remain where I have always been — in the PDP. Nigeria must never become a one-party state,” Dickson said.
He described the defections as “ridiculous” and warned that such political opportunism was making Nigeria’s democracy “look small.”
“Unlike in Ghana, where defeated presidents stay in their parties to rebuild, Nigerian politicians jump ship for selfish reasons. It belittles our democracy.”
Dickson emphasized that the PDP must reform itself from within rather than collapse into the ruling party, warning that democracy without opposition is “dictatorship in disguise.”
He also revealed that Governor Diri consulted him several times before leaving the PDP but said he saw “no compelling reason for a second-term governor to defect.”
Fayose: “Three More PDP Governors Will Soon Resign”
Meanwhile, former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose predicted that at least three more PDP governors would soon dump the party, leaving it with just five state leaders.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Fayose said:
“There are three more governors that will leave soon. The PDP is sick and remains perpetually sick without a cure in view.”
He, however, dismissed claims that President Tinubu was forcing defections, arguing that the defectors were acting out of self-interest.
“Tinubu should not be blamed for PDP’s problems. The party’s downfall is self-inflicted,” he added.
