The Peoples Democratic Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against prioritizing defections from opposition parties, stating that this strategy will not guarantee the All Progressives Congress’s victory in the 2027 general elections. Ologunagba made this statement in response to Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah’s recent defection from the PDP to the APC.

During an interview on Channels Television, Ologunagba noted that the ruling party’s focus on enticing opposition figures is a diversion from its poor performance and failure to address Nigeria’s economic and governance challenges. He emphasized that the 2027 election will be a referendum on the APC’s performance, rather than a contest between the party and opposition figures.

Ologunagba pointed out that the Tinubu administration is using political defections to shift public attention away from its shortcomings. He stressed that Nigeria’s democratic system thrives on diversity and open expression, and urged the President to adopt a more inclusive and tolerant approach to governance.

The PDP official’s comments come amid a series of high-profile defections to the APC, which has raised concerns about the ruling party’s tactics and the impact on Nigeria’s political landscape. As the country prepares for the 2027 elections, the debate over defections and their implications for the electoral process is likely to continue.

The Tinubu administration’s performance and its ability to address Nigeria’s economic and governance challenges will be closely watched in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. The APC’s strategy of wooing opposition figures has sparked criticism, with some arguing that it undermines the democratic process and others seeing it as a legitimate means of building support. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the significance of defections and their impact on the electoral outcome will remain a topic of discussion.