Murray-Bruce Downplays Defections, says Nigeria’s Democracy not Under Threat

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has dismissed suggestions that the wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) marks the end of Nigeria’s democratic competition.

Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Thursday, the former senator said political parties may collapse, but new challengers will always emerge to contest power and keep democracy alive.

“Things get destroyed for others to show up. There will be other parties. It may not be called PDP, but there will be opposition. So, if PDP dies, it dies. Somebody is going to show up. Somebody will show up, for sure,” he said.

Murray-Bruce, who formally joined the APC on Wednesday after praising President Bola Tinubu’s economic leadership, maintained that Nigeria’s political landscape would continue to produce alternatives to any dominant party.

“There will be opposition, there will be election. There are people who will challenge the president, and it’s going to be a tough election. It’s going to be very tough,” he added.

His comments came amid high-profile defections from the PDP, including Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, and several lawmakers, fuelling concerns about the future of the main opposition party.

The Silverbird Group founder, however, dismissed fears of a looming one-party state, insisting that while the PDP may appear weakened, Nigeria’s democratic process remains resilient.

“Don’t think because PDP is half dead means the democratic process is dead. It feels that way, people think that way, but somebody will emerge, a leader will show up, and there will be tough opposition,” he said.

Citing political figures who could remain influential in shaping future opposition, Murray-Bruce said, “Peter Obi is not dead. Kwankwaso is not dead. Atiku is not dead, so there will be opposition.”