The founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, has said that recent defections of politicians to the All Progressives Congress (APC) are entirely voluntary and not orchestrated by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking in Lagos on Friday, Aniebonam addressed concerns about Nigeria moving toward a one-party system, following a wave of defections by opposition governors and lawmakers.
“No one is being forced to join the APC,” he said. “We haven’t seen any politicians defecting under duress it’s all based on personal conviction.”
He dismissed accusations that Tinubu is trying to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, noting that Nigeria currently has 18 registered political parties.
“Even if most PDP governors and others join the APC, that doesn’t eliminate the multi-party nature of our democracy,” he said. “INEC has not deregistered any parties.”
Aniebonam also criticized governors who, according to him, seek refuge in the ruling party to avoid scrutiny.
“Many are not delivering on governance and believe defecting to APC will shield them from investigations,” he stated. “But APC must be cautious; it’s easier to confront internal opposition than external threats.”
He added that Nigeria’s political climate is evolving, and the electorate is becoming more politically aware.
“Blaming Tinubu for politicians’ actions is misplaced,” he said. “He has every right to accept new members into his party ahead of a re-election bid.”
Aniebonam urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor state governments closely and prosecute any governor found guilty of embezzling public funds.
He also called on national institutions like INEC, the judiciary, and law enforcement agencies to perform their duties impartially.
“President Tinubu should continue focusing on policies that benefit the majority. But politicians must be ready to test their popularity at the polls — no one is being stopped from contesting.”
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