Senator Adams Oshiomhole has weighed in on the wave of political defections rocking Nigeria, stating that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is best positioned to author a book on the phenomenon.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, the former Edo State governor responded to questions about the recent mass defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including that of the Delta State Governor.
Oshiomhole dismissed concerns over party loyalty, arguing that defections are not new and have long been part of Nigeria’s political culture. He referenced his own political journey, recounting how he won elections twice as an opposition candidate despite PDP’s dominance at the time.
“People can win elections without joining the APC. I did it in 2007 and again in 2012,” he said.
Highlighting Atiku Abubakar’s political history, Oshiomhole pointed out that Atiku, while serving as Nigeria’s Vice President, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Action Congress (AC) — which later merged into what is now the APC.
“If anyone should explain the reason politicians switch parties, it’s His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar,” Oshiomhole remarked. “He left the PDP as a sitting vice president to join ACN. Was he coerced by Bola Tinubu or anyone at the time?”
Oshiomhole further noted that Atiku has moved between major political parties multiple times over the years — from PDP to AC, back to PDP, then to APC, and again to PDP — all in pursuit of presidential ambitions.
“Only Atiku can best explain the motivation behind such moves. He is the most prominent political defector in Nigeria’s democratic history,” Oshiomhole added.
His comments come amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as more high-profile politicians switch parties in a bid to reposition themselves for the next electoral cycle.
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