Founder and Board of Trustees Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, has said that politicians defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) are doing so out of their own free will, not under pressure from President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Friday in Lagos amid the growing wave of defections by governors and other elected officials to the ruling party, Aniebonam stressed that party membership in Nigeria remains a voluntary decision.
“We are yet to see politicians who defected to the APC or any other political party in Nigeria at gunpoint. These are personal convictions and choices,” he said.
The NNPP founder dismissed claims that Nigeria is gradually becoming a one-party state, saying such fears are baseless since the country still operates a multi-party system with 18 registered political parties.
“Even if all PDP governors and members of other parties join the APC, that doesn’t make Nigeria a one-party state. INEC has not deregistered any political party,” Aniebonam stated.
He added that President Tinubu and the APC have the constitutional right to seek more members in preparation for re-election.
According to him, some governors defecting to the APC are simply seeking protection and political relevance after underperforming in their states.
“Many governors are not doing much in their states and think joining the APC will shield them from investigations. But the APC must be careful; it’s easier to fight from within than from outside,” he warned.
Aniebonam urged Nigerians to focus their grievances through proper democratic channels and called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to closely monitor state governments.
“Any governor found to have embezzled state funds should be investigated and prosecuted when due,” he added.
He maintained that fears of a one-party state are exaggerated, noting that the electorate remains the ultimate decider of Nigeria’s political direction.
“Tinubu is exercising his right to seek re-election and to welcome those who can help him win. The population of defecting politicians is insignificant compared to the voting population,” he said.
Comments