Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, a renowned communications scholar at Baze University, has urged Nigerian politicians to demonstrate greater ideological commitment and resist defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) merely due to President Bola Tinubu’s influence.
Speaking on a Arise Tv program, Adeniyi described the ongoing wave of defections—particularly from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)—as a reflection of political expediency rather than principle.
Commenting on the recent defection of a high-profile PDP vice-presidential candidate in Delta State, Adeniyi described the move as a “big political and symbolic blow” to the PDP. He noted that such defections are not unprecedented, citing examples like former Governor Peter Obi, who left the PDP for the Labour Party before the 2023 elections, and the current Minister of Works, who also joined the APC. “Politicians make decisions based on what suits their interests at a particular point in time, without minding what anyone thinks,” Adeniyi stated.
He emphasized the need for politicians to be “more principled and committed to an ideology” rather than shifting with “the vagaries of the wind.” Adeniyi praised individuals like Chief Doyin Okupe, who remained loyal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar despite close ties to Tinubu, as rare examples of steadfastness.
Addressing concerns about Nigeria trending toward a one-party state due to the defections to the APC, Adeniyi dismissed fears of a weakened opposition. He pointed to internal dissent within the APC—such as Senator Ali Ndume’s vocal critiques—as well as the roles of civil society and the media in maintaining democratic checks and balances. However, he stressed that the quality of Nigeria’s democracy depends on injecting “principle and character” into the political process.
On the PDP’s claims that defections are being coerced due to pressure from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Adeniyi called the allegations speculative and lacking evidence. He suggested that defectors—like those in Delta State—made calculated decisions after consultations, believing the APC to be their “safest place.”
Adeniyi urged the PDP to resolve its internal conflicts, particularly the rift between Atiku Abubakar and Minister Nyesom Wike, to prevent further exits and revitalize the party. He also cautioned against an early focus on the 2027 presidential election, warning that it risks diverting attention from governance and the immediate needs of Nigerians.
“We need politicians who are not susceptible to moving with the wind like desert sand,” Adeniyi concluded, calling for a more robust and principled political culture to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
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