All Progressives Congress National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, has dismissed recent criticisms from opposition leaders, describing their complaints as motivated by “loss of opportunity to plunder the resources of the Nigerian people” rather than concern for citizens’ welfare. His remarks came on Friday after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, following the defection of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC.
Basiru argued that Tinubu’s administration has blocked “all the leakages where some people are milking Nigeria dry,” citing growth in foreign reserves from $3bn to $49bn and reductions in food inflation from about 35% to 15% as evidence of economic progress. He described opposition criticism of the Electoral Act 2026 as “a committee of circus displayers” and urged opposition figures to regain credibility with Nigerians.
With Fintiri’s defection, the APC now controls 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states, leaving the Peoples Democratic Party with three states, and the Labour Party, Accord Party, and All Progressives Grand Alliance controlling one state each. Basiru framed the development as evidence of the APC’s national reach and political acceptability under Tinubu, asserting that the party’s goal is to build a pan-Nigerian political presence.
Opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, have previously raised alarms over what they described as federal tactics weakening opposition parties through defections, security pressure, and court manipulation, particularly criticizing the Electoral Act 2026 for creating loopholes favouring the ruling party.
The Presidency, through spokesman Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed the allegations as “reckless, spurious” and misleading. Basiru also confirmed that the APC has completed successful ward and local government congresses and is preparing for upcoming state congresses, maintaining that defections reflect genuine dissatisfaction with opposition parties and support for Tinubu’s policies and leadership.
