Amid the gale of defections that hit the major oppositions, President Bola Tinubu has said he is expecting more people to join the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The President, who spoke during the party’s national summit in Abuja on Thursday, said people should not be blamed for exercising their freedom to move and associate, which he said is criminally punishable.
Tinubu said, “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 aspiration of Nigerians.
“Where do they start? You don’t blame a people bailing out of a sinking ship where they have no life jacket.
READ ALSO: Our Economic Reforms Are Working, APC Not A Failure – Tinubu
“I’m glad of what we have and I’m expecting more to come; that is the game.
“We are in a constitutional democracy. Don’t forget: the freedom of movement and the freedom of association are not criminally punishable.
“Welcome to the Progressives. Sweep them clean.”
Gale Of Defections
The PDP has recorded defections in recent times, with the movement of one governor, and federal and state lawmakers.
On April 28, the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, officially joined the APC.
Oborevwori moved to the ruling along with his deputy, the members of the House of Assembly, commissioners, local government chairmen, and councillors.
The governor described his decision as a movement, not a defection.
Eight days later, six members of the House of Representatives from Delta State defected from the PDP to the APC.
The notices of defection were read by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary.
They include Victor Nwokolo (Ika North East/Ika South) Julius Pondi (Burutu), Thomas Ereyitomi (Warri North/Warri South/Warri)
Nicholas Mutu (Bomadi/Patani), Ukodhiko Jonathan (Isoko North/Isoko South), and Ezechi Nnamdi (Ndokwa/Ukwuani).
On May 13, the Senate confirmed the defection of Senators Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central; Yahaya Abdullahi of Kebbi North Senatorial District, and Garba Maidoki from Kebbi South senatorial zone, from the PDP to the APC.
READ ALSO: ‘A Movement, Not Defection,’ Oborevwori, Okowa, Others Officially Join APC
Their defection further strengthened the party’s majority in the upper chamber by increasing the number of APC senators in the 10th National Assembly to 68.
On Thursday, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, directed all his commissioners and appointees to either defect with him to the APC or resign from their positions.
Speaking during the State Executive Council on Thursday, he said,
“It’s no more news that I’m moving party, if you don’t know that by now, I don’t know what else you know.
“So, we want our commissioners and members of Excos, appointees; I am told that some of you are saying that you will not come, you are free, absolutely free not to join me, but you won’t be in my state executive council.
“So, you better just be prepared to resign the day I announce that I’m moving because you are an appointee and your loyalty is to me.”
