By Abiola Olawale
The Presidency on Sunday clarified that the wave of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a result of voluntary decisions by political figures, dismissing allegations of coercion.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a press statement issued on Sunday emphasized that the party is not intimidating or pressuring anyone to defect.
Onanuga’s remarks come amid speculations that the defections are orchestrated through undue influence.
Reacting to the report, the senior presidential aide said that APC is a unifying force that is attracting leaders seeking stability and progress.
The statement reads in part: “Nigerians migrating to the APC and expressing support for Tinubu are doing so out of their free will, based on the belief that the reforms being executed are in the interest of Nigerians and the unborn generation.
“The opposition cannot blame President Tinubu and the governing APC for their poor organisation, indiscipline, and gross incompetence in managing their affairs.
“While the opposition elements are understandably heartbroken and disillusioned over the failure of their fabled grand coalition to gain traction, we find it disturbing that they resorted to peddling false allegations of the promotion of a one-party state against President Bola Tinubu, who is working very hard to reverse decades of economic mismanagement of our country.
“Contrary to the false claims in the sponsored propaganda materials in circulation across mainstream and social media, democracy is not under any threat in Nigeria. Accusations that the administration is moving towards authoritarianism are baseless and exaggerated.
“We must add that no policy, official action, or directive from the Presidency seeks to ‘dismantle democracy’ or ‘weaken opposition or create a one-party state.
“Without any equivocation, freedom of association, freedom of speech and freedom of choice are part of the cherished ideals of democracy. When politicians and citizens can not freely join any association or political party of their choice or cannot openly express their views, democracy is imperilled.
“Those opposed to the Tinubu administration should understand that they can issue diatribes, without fear, against the government because we practice democracy.
“It is hypocrisy writ large when opposition politicians and their collaborators in the ‘human rights’ movement desire that the party of the President should implode so they can gain electoral advantage and cry wolf when their wish does not materialise.”
The New Diplomat reports that this comes after Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, commissioners, local government chairmen and others announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
