Defections to APC Voluntary, Not Orchestrated by Tinubu – NNPP Founder

The founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr Boniface Aniebonam, has said that recent defections of politicians to the All Progressives Congress (APC) are acts of free will and not the result of any coercion from President Bola Tinubu.

Aniebonam stated this on Friday in Lagos while reacting to the wave of defections by governors and lawmakers from opposition parties to the ruling APC.

He maintained that joining or leaving a political party in Nigeria remains a voluntary decision, adding that there was no evidence to suggest that anyone was being compelled to align with the APC.

“We are yet to see politicians who defected to the APC or any other political party in Nigeria at gunpoint, except for their personal convictions and choices,” he said.

‘Nigeria not becoming a one-party state’

The NNPP founder dismissed claims that President Tinubu was attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, describing such insinuations as baseless.

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According to him, the existence of 18 registered political parties underlines Nigeria’s multi-party democracy as enshrined in the constitution.

“Even if all the PDP governors and a few others from registered political parties join the APC, it doesn’t make Nigeria a one-party state,” he said.

“The President had once said that he would not stop anyone who wishes to join the APC because it is their right. President Tinubu and the APC have the right to seek more members for their re-election.”

Aniebonam noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not deregistered any political party, stressing that democracy remained intact.

“To claim that Nigeria is tilting to a one-party state is unfounded because INEC has not deregistered any of the existing political parties in Nigeria,” he added.

‘Governors hiding in APC to escape scrutiny’

The NNPP leader, however, accused some governors of seeking refuge in the ruling party to escape accountability for poor governance in their states.

“Many of these governors are practically not doing much for their states, and they think that running into the APC will provide them a second opportunity and cover from investigation,” he said.

“The truth is that APC needs to be very careful with the movement of politicians crossing over in droves; it is easier to fight from within than from outside. Whenever systems collapse, tactics take over, politicians can be anything overnight.”

Aniebonam observed that Nigerians are becoming more politically conscious and would no longer be easily swayed by opportunistic politicians.

“What the elected office holders do not understand is that Nigerians are getting wiser and conscious of their political environment in dealing with politicians,” he noted.

He urged citizens to direct their grievances appropriately and advised politicians to stop blaming President Tinubu for their personal failures.

“Tinubu is seeking a rerun, and it is his right to welcome anyone who will help him win the election. It appears that some politicians are already afraid even before the election, hence the cries of a one-party state. What is the population of the governors and party members compared with those who will vote? They are merely a minority of eligible voters in Nigeria,” he said.

‘EFCC must monitor state funds’

The NNPP chieftain also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to keep state governments under watch and prosecute any governor found to have embezzled public funds.

“We encourage President Tinubu to continue to prioritise the needs of Nigerians with the available resources and ensure popular policies for the good of greater numbers,” he said.

“The fact remains that some operators of institutions of administration and management are failing Nigerians. It is our hope that INEC, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies will live up to expectations and join in taking Nigeria to the desired heights.”

‘NNPP open to all Nigerians’

Dr Aniebonam concluded by reaffirming that the NNPP remains open to all Nigerians with the capacity and popularity to earn public trust.

“The NNPP is also open to all Nigerians who consider him or herself worthy and popular for the vote of Nigerians to come forward. President Tinubu is not stopping anybody from testing his or her popularity,” he stated.