APC Chieftain urges opposition to accept responsibility for wave of defections
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has advised opposition parties to stop holding President Bola Tinubu responsible for the growing number of defections into the ruling party.
Speaking on Sunday in Osogbo, Oyintiloye called on opposition parties to carry out introspection and embrace internal democratic practices, rather than attributing their challenges to the influence of the president or the APC.
He argued that political realignments have long been a part of Nigeria’s democratic landscape and maintained that the recent surge in defections was largely driven by ideological motivations rather than any form of intimidation or external pressure.
“Many of those leaving their former parties have said they were marginalised, disregarded, or unfairly treated, leaving them with little choice but to align with a party that offers a sustainable agenda for national transformation,” he said.
Oyintiloye described the current wave of political migration as a period of recalibration, with more Nigerian politicians moving to the APC. He viewed this as a testament to the ruling party’s appeal under President Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.
“The president has demonstrated real commitment to prioritising national development and building a stronger, more viable platform for progress. That is what is attracting new members to the APC,” he said.
He went on to predict further defections from opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and cautioned against blaming the APC or President Tinubu for internal divisions within those parties.
“How can a few defections result in a one-party system when the country still has over 60 registered political parties?” Oyintiloye asked. “Rather than pointing fingers, opposition parties need to craft solid strategies to address the situation. That includes encouraging openness to dissent, conducting transparent primaries, and ensuring inclusive decision-making across party structures.”
He added that such reforms within the opposition would go a long way in discouraging further departures.
At the same time, Oyintiloye called on the APC to focus on strengthening its internal democratic processes to preserve cohesion within its ranks. He stressed the importance of managing both long-standing members and recent defectors in a way that maintains party stability and prevents internal strife.
“The APC must consolidate its internal framework to safeguard against any internal conflict that might arise as a result of the influx of new members,” he said.
