The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against what it described as a pattern of “defection shopping,” warning that the strategy will not guarantee the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Wednesday, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, criticised the ruling party’s recent moves to woo opposition figures, including the defection of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah from the PDP to the APC.
Ologunagba argued that the APC’s preoccupation with political defections was a diversionary tactic aimed at masking its poor governance record and economic mismanagement.
“I told the president some time ago to stop this endorsement or defection shopping; it will not help him in 2027,” he said. “The 2027 election will not be between political parties; it will be between the APC and the Nigerian people.”
He accused the Tinubu administration of using defections as a smokescreen to distract citizens from pressing national issues.
“What is going on today is taking us completely away from the failure of the government,” Ologunagba said. “Every time we are discussing defections or opposition parties, we lose focus on the administration’s inability to deliver on its promises.”
The PDP spokesman further stressed that Nigeria’s democracy thrives on pluralism and inclusivity, urging the President to foster tolerance and open engagement rather than attempting to weaken opposition voices.
“To the President, there’s a responsibility to ensure that a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society like Nigeria allows room for diverse expression,” Ologunagba stated. “People may not always agree with you, but you must listen to them and create space for opposition; that is how democracy grows and nations progress.”
He concluded by urging the APC to focus on governance and tangible results rather than political theatrics, warning that Nigerians will ultimately judge the government by its performance, not its alliances.
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