The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticised governors defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing them of lacking character, conviction, and courage.
Speaking on Arise TV on yesterday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi argued that these moves are motivated by personal convenience rather than genuine belief in the APC’s agenda.
“We don’t have any governors because these governors that are joining the ruling party are not doing so because they are convinced about anything going on in APC,” Abdullahi said.
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“They are all pandering to one vulnerability or another or looking for an easy way out. It takes conviction, character, and courage to join the opposition even as a sitting governor qualities these individuals lack.”
His remarks follow a wave of high-profile defections in 2025 that have bolstered the APC’s control.
In April, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori switched from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Akwa Ibom’s Umo Eno followed in June. Enugu’s Peter Mbah defected in October, while Bayelsa’s Douye Diri joined in November, accompanied by many assembly members. Most recently, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara moved to the APC in December, weeks after a mass defection of state lawmakers.
Abdullahi branded the APC the “greatest threat to Nigerian democracy”, claiming it is deliberately undermining opposition parties through legal and political tactics to create a sense of inevitability for the 2027 elections.
That’s the mindset they want: no matter what we do, they will win anyway,” he said, drawing parallels to the PDP’s dominance in 2007, when it controlled 31 states amid widely discredited polls.
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He questioned the APC’s ability to persuade voters despite rallying governors. “Have they convinced Nigerians they represent the best option? Every Nigerian knows the reality no whitewashing can hide it.”
Despite holding no offices, Abdullahi highlighted ADC’s expansion, with headquarters established in 28 states in five months, driven by public enthusiasm for preserving democracy.
He said the destabilisation of parties like the PDP, Labour Party, and Social Democratic Party has pushed politicians towards the ADC, warning that the APC’s actions risk turning Nigeria into a one-party state.