Stop Blaming Tinubu for Defections, APC Chieftain Tells Opposition

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged opposition parties to desist from blaming President Bola Tinubu over the recent wave of defections to the ruling party.

Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, the state capital, Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said opposition parties should instead focus on resolving their internal crises rather than attributing their losses to the influence of the President.

He described political realignments as a common feature of Nigeria’s democracy, noting that the recent defections are driven by ideological conviction and not coercion, as alleged in some quarters.

“The defectors claimed they were being sidelined, undermined, and unfairly treated by their former parties, leaving them with no option but to switch to a party with a sustainable transformation agenda,” he said.

Oyintiloye attributed the exodus from opposition camps, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to long-standing internal disputes that have gone unresolved.

He asserted that the increasing number of politicians joining the APC is a testament to the party’s appeal and its capacity to deliver on the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Tinubu.

“This season of political recalibration is a clear indication that the APC is well-structured to transform the country,” he stated.

The APC chieftain also dismissed concerns that the defections could usher in a one-party system, saying such fears are misplaced.

He maintained that democracy allows freedom of association and political choice, and that opposition parties should focus on reform and cohesion instead of externalizing blame.