The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed claims that it is “capturing” the South-East through recent waves of defections, saying instead that the region is voluntarily realigning with national politics.

The clarification was made on Thursday by the Lagos State APC Publicity Secretary, Mr. Seye Oladejo, in response to remarks by Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), who had said that “nobody can capture the South-East with defections.”

Oladejo stated that the ongoing political movements reflected a growing shift in regional alignment rather than manipulation or coercion.

“Let it be made clear: the APC is not capturing the South-East, the region is voluntarily aligning with the national mainstream because Nigerians are done with emotional blackmail and divisive politics,” he said.

The statement follows a series of defections from opposition parties, particularly in the South-East, including that of Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC along with his cabinet members and state lawmakers.

Oladejo, however, took a swipe at Obi, saying he lacked the moral standing to lecture others on political loyalty, given his history of switching parties — from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the PDP, and later to the LP.

“Obi is already in the political marketplace shopping for yet another platform ahead of the 2027 elections,” Oladejo alleged.

He added that the recent defections had shown that the South-East was not beholden to any individual politician, but rather seeking inclusion, development, and progress under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The people of the South-East deserve inclusion, infrastructure, and investment  not empty crusades and sentimental activism. Power is earned through structure, consistency, and bridge-building across the federation, all of which Obi sorely lacks,” the APC spokesman said.

Oladejo further asserted that divisive and religious politics had lost relevance in the country’s evolving political climate, as Nigerians increasingly embrace unity and progress.

“In truth, Peter Obi now stands politically stranded  abandoned by allies, weakened by reality, and walking alone in a wilderness of his own making,” he added.