There Is Freedom Of Movement, Tinubu Defends Defections Into APC

Amid mounting concerns over Nigeria’s political trajectory, President Bola Ahmed tinubu has defended the gale of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that Nigeria’s constitutional right to freedom of movement and association allows citizens to join any political party of their choice.

The president spoke on Thursday at the APC National Summit in Abuja, where the government also presented its two-year performance report across major sectors.

The president dismissed concerns about Nigeria becoming a one-party state, emphasising that political changes result from free choice, not coercion. He noted that the constitution guarantees the right to join any party.

“Before I skip, I just need to tell those ones saying one-party system is no good: it’s one party ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians. Where do they start?” He asked.

“You don’t blame people bailing out of a sinking ship when they have no life jacket. We are in a constitutional democracy. Don’t forget, the freedom of movement and association is not criminally punishable. Welcome to the progressives—sweep them clean.

“We are just halfway through the journey that began 24 months ago. The faithfulness of Nigerians in assessing how far we have progressed is steering our country along the critical path of our socio-economic development,” he stated.

Tinubu’s remarks come as opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) accuse the APC of weakening rivals and encouraging defections to cement its power before the 2027 elections. They warn that this could lead to a one-party system.

Notable recent defections include six House of Representatives members from Delta State who left the PDP for the APC, as well as the Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the 2023 PDP vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa. The Labour Party has also lost members to the APC.

However, the APC has rejected these claims, saying its growth is due to good governance and public support.

In a show of confidence, the National Assembly and the APC, at Thursday’s summit, officially endorsed President tinubu for a second term in 2027.

‘Economic Reforms Working’

After assuming office in May 2023, President tinubu introduced major economic reforms to stabilise Nigeria’s finances, supported by international institutions.

However, these changes, including currency liberalisation and subsidy cuts, have led to a severe cost-of-living crisis, with nearly half of Nigerians living in poverty in 2024.

The removal of fuel subsidies further triggered a sharp rise in petrol prices, setting off a ripple effect that increased transport fares, food costs, and overall living expenses for millions of Nigerians.

But Tinubu, speaking at the summit, maintained that the reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, are beginning to yield results and were necessary to secure the country’s long-term future.

“Today, I am proud to announce that our economic reforms are working,” he declared. On the controversial fuel subsidy removal, tinubu remarked, “There is nothing good that comes easy in life.

“All of you have been through life. I only threw in a little casual decision to make it easy at the beginning. The subsidy is gone—and it was gone for the good of this country. We couldn’t just afford to spend the future of our children and our unborn babies ahead of their birth.”

Touching on broader reforms, tinubu highlighted efforts to combat poverty and corruption, noting the EFCC’s recovery of over 700 properties linked to the embattled former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, as evidence of progress.

He said, “We pledged to tackle poverty and remove insecurity. How fast would you have reconstructed this country if you had allowed the arbitrage in the exchange rate to continue? That is the grandfather of corruption.

“You could see the EFCC recovering over 753 houses from one person locally here. We encountered challenges when we assumed office in May, but we have made progress by implementing difficult, long-overdue, but necessary economic reforms.”

“Because of the reforms, our country now attracts greater foreign investment that will ultimately create jobs and produce much-needed goods and services that will significantly improve the standard of living in our country,” he said.

Fighting Pushbacks

The president maintained that though his government faced severe pushback, it remained undeterred. He further called out societal neglect.

“They fought us with everything at their disposal, but we never said die—we carried on. They created artificial scarcity. They thought this party would collapse. But we must persevere—not give up. It is not the easy way out.

“It is a shame if today there are communities without potable water, and a shame that self-serving elites will not think about out-of-school children. But we are the progressives. We will press on,” he said.

Looking beyond Nigeria’s borders, the president encouraged Nigerians to remain hopeful.

“We have the opportunity to make this continent a great one—not just Nigeria. Truly, we are the giant. But the elephant that is holding us back is indiscipline, corruption, and abuse of power.

“The resuscitation of Nigeria’s economy is here. If we are where we are in the first two years, then in the next two, we will be great.”

The summit was attended by top government officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, APC governors, and other prominent party leaders.