The founder and Board of Trustees Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, has said that politicians defecting to the All Progressives Congress are doing so out of their own free will and not under any coercion from President Bola Tinubu.
Aniebonam stated this on Friday in Lagos while reacting to recent defections by governors and lawmakers from opposition parties to the APC.
He said the decision to join or leave any political party in Nigeria remained voluntary, stressing that no evidence had shown that anyone was being forced to join the ruling party.
“We are yet to see politicians who defected to the APC or any other political party in Nigeria at gunpoint, except for their personal convictions and choices,” he said.
According to him, allegations that Tinubu is attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state are unfounded.
He added, “We have 18 registered political parties in Nigeria, which underscores the essence of a multi-party system in our constitution. Even if all the PDP governors and a few others of the registered political parties join the APC, it doesn’t make Nigeria a one-party state.
“The President had once said that he would not stop anyone who wishes to join the APC because it is their right. President Tinubu and the APC have the right to seek more members for their reelection.
“To claim that Nigeria is tilting to a one-party state is unfounded because INEC has not deregistered any of the existing political parties in Nigeria.
“What the elected office holders do not understand is that Nigerians are getting wiser and conscious of their political environment in dealing with politicians.”
The NNPP leader also faulted some state governors for poor governance, saying many of them were seeking refuge in the ruling party to avoid scrutiny.
“Many of these governors are practically not doing much for their states, and they think that running into the APC will provide them a second opportunity. And cover from investigation.
“The truth is that APC needs to be very careful with the movement of politicians crossing over in droves; it is easier to fight from within than from outside.
“Whenever systems collapse, tactics take over, politicians can be anything overnight,” he added.
Aniebonam encouraged Nigerians to channel their grievances appropriately and advised politicians to stop blaming the President for their own failures.
“Tinubu is seeking a rerun, and it is his right to welcome anyone who will help him win the election.
“It appears that some politicians are already afraid even before the election, hence the cries of a one-party state.
“What is the population of the governors and party members compared with those who will vote? They are merely a minority of eligible voters in Nigeria,” he said.
The NNPP leader, however, urged the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission to ensure that state governments are kept in view and any governor who has embezzled state funds should be investigated and made to face trial in court at the appropriate time.
“We encourage President Tinubu to continue to prioritise the needs of Nigerians with the available resources and ensure popular policies for the good of greater numbers.
“The fact remains that some operators of institutions of administration and management are failing Nigerians.
“It is our hope that INEC, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies will live up to expectations and join in taking Nigeria to the desired heights.
“The NNPP is also open to all Nigerians who consider him or herself worthy and popular for the vote of Nigerians to come forward. President Tinubu is not stopping anybody from testing his or her popularity,” Aniebonam stated
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