Many Politicians Joining APC for Re-election, Not Conviction – Ogenyi

A former Benue State governorship aspirant and coordinator of the Conference of Minority Tribes, Okokwu Ogenyi, has cautioned that the recent wave of political defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is largely motivated by personal ambition rather than genuine ideological conviction.

Ogenyi, who also serves on the Governing Council of the Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry, said that while some politicians sincerely align with the APC’s vision under President Bola Tinubu, others are only switching sides to protect their political careers or secure re-election tickets.

“Some of the politicians defecting to one party or another are not doing so based on ideology. Many are acting out of personal interest, while others genuinely believe that President Tinubu has laid a solid foundation and want to join in building on it,” he told Daily Post during a recent interview.

‘Defections Not Always About Belief in Tinubu’

Ogenyi pointed to the recent defection of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah from the PDP to the APC as a case study, noting that while such moves may be strategic, they are often driven by personal calculations rather than party ideology.

“While some people are joining for genuine reasons, others are doing so because they want to secure re-election tickets. The APC is a large family, and many see joining it as a way to protect their chances,” he added.

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He emphasised that political consistency is vital to democratic stability, warning that excessive defections without shared values could cause internal conflicts within parties.

‘Performance, Not Numbers, Wins Elections’

Ogenyi also urged Nigerians to remain loyal to their party’s principles, saying that success in politics should be determined by performance, transparency, and public trust, not the size of a political crowd.

“Defection increases a party’s numbers, but numbers alone don’t guarantee victory. What matters is the president’s and governors’ achievements and how well these are communicated to the people,” he noted.

He called on political leaders to focus on delivering results, strengthening institutions, and promoting citizen engagement, rather than engaging in opportunistic party-hopping that undermines public confidence in governance.