President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has voiced his approval of the recent wave of defections by opposition politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a natural response to political instability within their former parties.
Speaking on Thursday at the APC National Summit held in Abuja, the President called on party leaders to continue extending an open invitation to members of opposition parties, noting that their decision to switch allegiance should be viewed with understanding rather than criticism.
“You don’t blame people for abandoning a sinking ship, especially when they have no life jacket,” Tinubu said. “I’m pleased with what we have achieved so far, and I expect even more to join us. That’s the nature of the game. We are in a constitutional democracy—freedom of movement and association is guaranteed, and it is not a criminal offence. Let’s welcome them to the progressives and sweep the system clean.”
Tinubu’s comments reflect the growing momentum within the APC, following a surge in defections that has further bolstered the ruling party’s influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President’s remarks came shortly after the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, led by National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, formally endorsed him for a second term in office. This endorsement aligns with an earlier resolution by the National Assembly, where key leaders also declared Tinubu their sole candidate for the 2027 presidential race.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio moved the motion for Tinubu’s endorsement during the summit, and it was seconded by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. The unified show of support from both the legislative and executive arms of the ruling party signals a strong internal consensus around Tinubu’s continued leadership.
With political realignments gaining pace and the opposition increasingly fragmented, the APC appears poised to consolidate its hold on power as it heads into another election cycle.
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