PDP Governors Coerced To Join Tinubu’s Ruling APC
PDP Governors Coerced To Join Tinubu’s Ruling APC
……. Atiku Condemns Defections Driven By Fear
Atiku made the remarks on Friday while reacting to the defection of Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa State, who officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has noted that the growing wave of defections by opposition governors into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is the result of political intimidation rather than genuine public support, warning that Nigeria risks sliding toward a one-party state.
Atiku made the remarks on Friday while reacting to the defection of Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa State, who officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.
Fintiri announced his defection during a statewide broadcast, revealing that members of his cabinet had also joined the ruling party.
He said the decision was taken in what he described as the “developmental interest” of Adamawa people, arguing that alignment with the federal government would accelerate progress in the state.
The development quickly sparked political reactions, with presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga describing the move as a major political setback for Atiku, an Adamawa native.
Onanuga claimed the governor’s defection had transformed the APC into a dominant political force in the state and advised the former vice president to reconsider any ambition for the 2027 presidential race.
“If a politician lacks popularity at home, he cannot market himself nationally,” Onanuga said in a statement responding to the political shift.
However, Atiku dismissed claims that the defection weakened his political standing, insisting that party realignments are common in Nigerian politics and often motivated by personal political survival rather than ideology or public endorsement.
In a statement issued through his media office, Atiku, now the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stressed that politicians have the constitutional freedom to associate with any party of their choice, adding that even members of his family were free to hold independent political views.
He maintained, however, that those who align with Nigerians’ interests instead of the APC were demonstrating “true patriotism.”
Atiku further framed the 2027 general election as a direct contest between President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian electorate, arguing that citizens, not political defections, would ultimately determine the country’s political direction.
According to him, the ruling party is allegedly deploying state institutions to pressure opposition figures into submission, describing the trend as an attempt to weaken democratic competition.
“This government fears accountability, credible elections, and the voice of the people,” he said, accusing the administration of using coercive tactics to consolidate power.
The former vice president also linked the political realignments to Nigeria’s worsening socio-economic conditions, citing rising hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and poverty as evidence of failed economic policies under the current administration.
“Governors may defect for political survival, but ordinary Nigerians are ‘defecting’ daily in search of economic survival,” he stated.
Atiku urged citizens not to interpret defections as proof of popularity, questioning what achievements the APC would present to voters during the next election cycle.
He cautioned Nigerians against vote-selling and electoral manipulation, insisting that sovereignty ultimately rests with the electorate.
“Do not trade your future or mortgage the destiny of your children. In 2027, Nigerians will decide, and their collective will shall prevail,” he said.
