Defections to APC Driven by Fear, Not Loyalty – Dele Momodu

Dele Momodu, publisher of *Ovation* Magazine and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused President Bola Tinubu of using coercion to swell the ranks of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*, Momodu described the wave of recent defections to the ruling party as a “game of survival,” driven more by fear than genuine political conviction.

Reacting to the expected defection of former Delta governor and PDP vice-presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, Momodu said such moves are unsurprising given what he described as widespread political harassment. “I’m not surprised about it—he’s been under serious harassment in recent times; it’s nothing new,” he said, adding that “what would surprise me is if President Bola Tinubu truly believes people are joining the APC because they love him or because he is doing fantastically well.”

According to Momodu, opposition politicians are being pushed to the APC through fear of detention and persecution. “Gone are the days when we used to boast that going to prison made one a martyr. These days, nobody wants to go to detention. Everybody wants to stay at home and talk about the money they’ve made from politics,” he said, pointing to a pattern of anti-graft investigations by the EFCC and ICPC as tools of intimidation.

The remarks come amid a flurry of defections ahead of the 2027 general election. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori recently left the PDP for the APC, while Senator Kawu Sumaila of Kano South resigned from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to join the ruling party. Okowa, in a circulating video, suggested he too may follow suit, saying, “We will take the best direction, the best path for our people.”

Momodu accused the Tinubu administration of deliberately fostering a climate of fear to force political alignment. “This government’s strategy is: if we can’t persuade you, we’ll force you. And for now, that force appears to be working,” he said, warning, however, that political dynamics can shift quickly.

He also criticized the internal state of the APC, describing the party as held together by access to government resources rather than shared ideology. “The APC is in more trouble than any other political party in Nigeria. The only thing holding it together right now is the access to resources they have to share,” he said.

Citing the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Momodu said the incident, allegedly orchestrated by Minister Nyesom Wike, was meant to send a strong warning to other governors. “That sent a message, and now everyone is taking note,” he stated, questioning the rationale behind Fubara’s removal and labeling it a clear act of coercion.

Momodu concluded by advising President Tinubu to be wary of politicians motivated by fear and desperation. He urged the president to focus on preserving Nigeria’s democratic values rather than pursuing re-election through intimidation. “Tinubu must now allow democracy to thrive in Nigeria or risk facing deep regret later in life,” he said.