9am News report reveals that the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has strongly denied accusations that the ruling party is pushing Nigeria towards a one-party system. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Basiru defended recent high-profile defections and the party’s strategy, insisting the APC is not responsible for the failure of opposition parties.
This response follows a political shake-up on Wednesday when Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy Monday Onyeme, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa—along with commissioners and key stakeholders defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Basiru: “Opposition Is Failing Itself”
Basiru, when asked if the APC’s recent gains were signs of forced political alignment, responded bluntly:
“How can we turn Nigeria into a one-party state? The country is not our making. The policies of the country are not our making… We don’t seem to have people who are very serious in opposition.”
He challenged the media to assess political engagement across party headquarters nationwide, stating the APC remains the only party actively building structures in every ward, local government, and state under the leadership of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
Basiru cited the resilience of the APC during its time in opposition as an example of what other parties should emulate, referencing how President Bola Tinubu remained politically active and committed despite investigations and trials by the EFCC and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
“No Coercion, Just Strategy”
Reacting to claims that defectors were pressured using state institutions, Basiru dismissed the allegations as excuses. Quoting Amílcar Cabral, he said:
“Tell no lie, claim no easy victory. When you are in opposition and begin to lie to yourself about what is wrong with your party… you’re only making excuses.”
The APC secretary pointed out that 15 members of the House of Representatives, including lawmakers from Labour Party, SDP, PDP, and NNPP, have joined the APC without any legal threats or corruption cases. He also referenced the recent defection of Hon. Wale Oke and late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah as more examples of voluntary movement into the ruling party.
The Delta State Realignment
Basiru referred to the Delta defections as a significant blow to the opposition, highlighting the earlier move by the Delta Unity Group, including former Governor James Ibori’s daughter, into the APC.
“The uproar shows how critical Delta is to their [the opposition’s] 2027 calculations,” he noted. “We are out there, going around like Jehovah’s Witnesses… spreading our party’s vision.”
He credited President Tinubu, the Progressive Governors’ Forum, and the APC National Working Committee for what he described as the strategic realignment of Nigeria’s political map.
Basiru concluded by assuring that President Tinubu would never coerce anyone into joining the party:
“President Tinubu is a democrat to the heart. He won’t coerce anyone.”
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