The All Progressives Congress has dismissed claims that it is using federal influence to compel governors and lawmakers from opposition parties to defect to the ruling party.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Saturday night, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the increasing number of defections from opposition parties was a reflection of Nigeria’s democratic freedom rather than a threat to multi-party politics.
Morka explained that politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) who are joining the APC are merely exercising their constitutional rights.
He said, “There is absolutely nothing happening in our political space today that suggests Nigeria is sliding into a one-party system. People are simply exercising their democratic freedom to choose among competing political alternatives, and they are choosing our party.”
The APC spokesman described as “misleading and unfair” suggestions that the wave of defections was a danger to democracy.
“It would be disingenuous to describe this development as a threat to democracy. Would you have the APC become a gatekeeper and decide who can or cannot come in? Democracy is a system of freedoms, and it would be unfair to limit people’s rights to choose where they belong politically,” he said.
Reacting to allegations that the APC was using its control of federal power to coerce opposition figures, Morka said such claims were baseless.
“In a country as massive as Nigeria, how do you cajole governors who are the chief executives of their states?” he asked. “These are people elected by their constituents, who control their budgets and make their own decisions. What exactly would you tell a governor to cajole him?”
Morka urged opposition parties to focus on addressing internal leadership crises instead of blaming the APC for their woes.
“If the PDP, Labour Party, or ADC look inward, they’ll realise that their dysfunction and failure of leadership are driving people away. Nobody wants to remain on a sinking ship. No serious politician would stay in a party that offers no hope,” he stated.
According to Morka, the APC’s growing appeal is a result of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and the party’s economic reforms.
“The APC has become a party of method and hope under the President’s leadership. Our macroeconomic indicators are improving — inflation is now around 18 percent and expected to keep dropping. That means more food on the table for Nigerians,” he added.
Morka reaffirmed that the APC remains open to all Nigerians who share its vision for progress and stability, insisting that the ruling party’s growth reflects a healthy democracy rather than political coercion.
