APC Dismisses Active Recruitment of Defectors, Cites Opposition Weakness
By Media Talk Africa
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is not actively seeking defections from opposing parties, according to Ismaeel Ahmed, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG). Ahmed stated that the party does not “go out of its way” to attract politicians switching allegiance, despite a wave of recent defections to the APC.
Ahmed made the remarks during an interview on the programme ‘Politics Today’ on Channels Television on Monday. He was responding to questions about the increasing number of opposition members joining the APC.
His comments come amid significant political realignment in Nigeria. Nearly all state governors formerly affiliated with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the APC. The governor of Zamfara State was the most recent to make the switch. Only two PDP governors remain: Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, though reports suggest Mohammed may also defect soon.
While welcoming new members, Ahmed expressed personal reservations about political defections. “I am not a fan of defectors in political parties. The political and democratic spirit in me does not appreciate defections,” he said. However, he noted the APC is “merrier” when individuals choose to join voluntarily.
Ahmed attributed the trend to the perceived weakness of the opposition rather than any proactive strategy by the APC. “I thought personally that the opposition was just unbelievably weak,” he stated. He added that opposition parties failed to capitalise on key national issues, saying, “They couldn’t take advantage of so many issues to better their lots.”
The pattern of mass defections underscores a shifting political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election cycle. Defections are a common feature of Nigerian politics, often driven by calculations about electoral advantage, access to federal resources, or internal party crises. The current exodus from the PDP highlights its ongoing struggles to maintain cohesion and present a robust challenge to the APC-led government.
Analysts note that while the APC gains numerical strength from defections, the influx of politicians with varied interests may complicate internal party dynamics. For the opposition, the loss of governors weakens its state-level machinery and funding networks, potentially hindering its ability to organise effectively.
Ahmed’s comments frame the defections as an organic response to the APC’s political strength rather than a targeted recruitment drive. The statement reinforces the ruling party’s narrative of dominance while implicitly criticising the opposition’s organisational capacity. The situation leaves the PDP with a reduced presence in state governments, intensifying pressure to rebuild its platform ahead of future elections.
