Ruling Party Coercing Defectors to Join APC, Alleges Ologbodiyan
The recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a new turn, with a former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, alleging that the ruling party is using threats of a witch-hunt to coerce opposition leaders into joining its fold.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Ologbondiyan stated that the governors and other opposition leaders defecting to the APC are merely seeking refuge to avoid being hounded by the ruling party.
According to Ologbondiyan, the APC is using its power to intimidate and harass opposition leaders, forcing them to seek refuge in the ruling party to avoid being persecuted.
The PDP chieftain’s comments come on the heels of a high-profile defection by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who recently abandoned the PDP for the APC, along with his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, several commissioners, and other prominent party members.
Last month’s defection has sparked speculation that more governors may soon follow suit, with many wondering if the APC is indeed using underhanded methods to lure opposition leaders into its fold.
“The APC is using the threat of a witch-hunt to coerce opposition leaders into joining their party. This is a blatant attempt to decimate the opposition and consolidate power. The governors and other opposition leaders defecting to the APC are merely seeking refuge to avoid being hounded by the ruling party,” Ologbondiyan said.
The APC has yet to respond to Ologbondiyan’s allegations, but the party has consistently maintained that its doors are open to all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations.
However, the timing and circumstances of the recent defections have raised eyebrows, with many questioning the motivations behind the defections.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the opposition party is facing a crisis of confidence, with many of its members feeling increasingly vulnerable to the APC’s alleged strong-arm tactics.
The PDP is facing an uphill battle to regain its footing and reassure its members that it remains a viable alternative to the ruling party, especially with the 2023 elections still fresh in memory.
The party’s leadership has promised to take steps to address the concerns of its members and prevent further defections, but it remains to be seen if these efforts will be enough to stem the tide of defections to the APC.
Meanwhile, political analysts have warned that the mass defections could have significant implications for the country’s political future, with some predicting that the opposition party’s ability to mount a credible challenge to the APC’s dominance could be severely weakened.
