A former Deputy Campaign Manager of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign, Isaac Balami, has said his return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was informed by his conviction that President Bola Tinubu had addressed the concerns that drove him out of the ruling party in 2022.
The aviation entrepreneur and youth advocate said he abandoned the Labour Party and the Obidient Movement after concluding that the platform lacked the direction and structure needed to achieve its political objectives, adding that Tinubu’s performance in office had altered his earlier perception of the President.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Balami explained that he initially opposed Tinubu’s presidential bid over the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket and what he viewed as the neglect of minority ethnic groups, but said developments under the current administration had convinced him that those concerns were being addressed.
“I just left because there was a reason why I left the APC. There were two major reasons. I am a Christian from Borno State, and you saw the killings against Christians over the years. Then, the issue of the marginalisation of ethnic nationalities.
“So why should I remain in a place where I see no future, when the person I castigated, insulted and fought has proven me wrong?”
Balami dismissed suggestions that his return to the APC amounted to a betrayal of the Obidient Movement, insisting that he left the ruling party in 2022 of his own free will and should equally be free to rejoin it without attracting criticism.
He further argued that the Labour Party’s internal leadership crisis and weak political organisation contributed significantly to his decision to leave, alleging that the party failed to put in place the structures required to safeguard its votes during the 2023 presidential election.
“We failed Nigerians. We couldn’t defend the votes. Common agents, we couldn’t raise; we couldn’t pay the agents. We went to court, and we had no Form EC8As because we had no agents.”
Balami credited the Tinubu administration with pursuing policies that, in his view, had promoted greater inclusion of minority groups and improved governance across the country.
He pointed to the removal of fuel subsidy, the implementation of local government autonomy, the recruitment of forest guards, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), youth appointments and other reforms as evidence that the administration was laying the foundation for long-term national development.
“In the history of democracy since 1999, there’s no president that has supported and been fair to ethnic nationalities in Nigeria like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
While acknowledging the economic difficulties confronting many Nigerians, Balami maintained that the current reforms were necessary and would ultimately produce lasting benefits despite the temporary hardship.
He also rejected claims that his renewed support for the APC was motivated by personal ambition, stressing that he had not received any political appointment or government contract since returning to the party.
“There is nothing wrong if you are angry with somebody for a particular reason, and the person has proven you wrong. What is wrong in humbling yourself and saying, ‘You are right, now we can work together?’”
Balami urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to assess the Tinubu administration on the basis of its policies, reforms and achievements rather than political sentiments, expressing confidence that the government would leave behind a stronger foundation for future generations by the end of its tenure.