Defections to APC Are Out of Conviction, Not Coercion

Defections to APC Are Out of Conviction, Not Coercion – Lumumba Adeh
He argued that the APC’s stability, national spread, and performance have made it an attractive platform
On fears that Nigeria could slide into a one-party state, Adeh dismissed such concerns as unfounded

A former member of the House of Representatives and one-time aide to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Hon. Lumumba Dah Adeh, has dismissed claims that recent defections into the All Progressives Congress (APC) were influenced by coercion or political pressure, insisting that most politicians join the ruling party out of personal conviction.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Adeh spoke in an interview at the weekend, said defections are a normal feature of Nigeria’s democracy, recalling similar movements in the early years of the Fourth Republic when many politicians crossed over to the then-dominant Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

EDITOR’S PICK

“Defections among governors didn’t start with the APC,” he said. “In 1999, when this democratic dispensation began, the three principal parties were the PDP, ANPP, and AD. By the end of President Obasanjo’s first term, the PDP had become dominant because many governors and national leaders defected to it not under pressure, but out of conviction. If those defections weren’t viewed as coercion then, I don’t see why they should be now.”

He argued that the APC’s stability, national spread, and performance have made it an attractive platform for politicians seeking viable political structures.

“Looking at it critically, the APC remains the most stable political party in the country at the moment. That alone attracts people,” he said.

Responding to suggestions that defections are driven more by self-interest than ideology, Adeh said political evolution is a continuous process worldwide.

Defections to APC Are Out of Conviction, Not Coercion - Lumumba Adeh

“People used to call Nigeria’s democracy ‘nascent.’ But even in the United States, after over 200 years, democracy is still evolving. Unless there’s evidence of coercion, I believe most defections are simply personal political choices.”

On fears that Nigeria could slide into a one-party state, Adeh dismissed such concerns as unfounded.

“Defections alone don’t make a country a one-party state. It’s always better when there’s a viable opposition, but the notion of a one-party system in Nigeria is theoretical,” he said.

The former lawmaker, however, acknowledged the absence of ideological depth in Nigeria’s political system, describing it as part of the country’s democratic journey.

“Our politics lacks ideology, yes. Maybe that’s part of our evolution. If parties had strong ideological foundations, it wouldn’t be so easy to jump from one to another,” he noted.

On the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s claim that it would unseat the APC in 2027, Adeh said the party poses no real threat.

“If everyone is moving to the APC, how can another party be a threat? The ADC has no real structure anywhere in the country,” he stated.

Discussing the political outlook in Plateau State, Adeh expressed optimism that the APC stands a strong chance in the 2027 general elections.

“We narrowly lost the 2023 governorship election by just a whisker. Those cracks have since been sealed, and the party is united. 2027 will be a different ball game entirely,” he said.

Adeh also commended the military’s renewed efforts in combating insecurity, particularly the revised rules of engagement empowering security forces to defend themselves.

“That’s a step in the right direction and part of why the situation is improving,” he said.

He urged governments at all levels to tackle unemployment as part of a holistic approach to security.

“There are too many idle young people. When youths are unemployed, they become easy targets for criminal recruitment,” he warned.

Adeh further stressed the need for context-specific solutions to insecurity.

“Each region must assess its peculiar situation and apply what works best. If an amnesty programme or similar measure brings peace and is within the law, then I have no problem with that,” he added.

FURTHER READING

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO OF THE WEEK