Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation Magazine, has said that President Tinubu has used coercive measures to get the opposition to switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Momodu made this assertion on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, asserting that lawmakers were joining the APC out of fear rather than true commitment.
“Given the recent harassment Okowa endured, I’m not surprised; his defection isn’t shocking,” he said.
“If President Bola Tinubu truly thinks that people are joining the APC out of love or administration, I would be surprised,” he said. “This is survival now; prison as martyr days are over.”
“We once admired the likes of Nelson Mandela, MKO Abiola, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo for enduring detention in the name of principle. These days, nobody wants to go to detention.
“Everybody wants to stay at home and talk about the money they’ve made from politics; name one politician who has not been harassed by either the EFCC or the ICPC at some point.”
On Wednesday, Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the APC.
Ifeanyi Okowa, a former Delta governor and PDP 2023 vice-presidential candidate, also joined the APC.
“Be assured that we will not go in the wrong direction. We will take the best direction, the best path for our people,” Okowa said in a video circulating on social media.
Prior to the general election in 2027, Kano South Senator Kawu Sumaila also joined the APC after defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Momodu claims that in order to stay in power, Tinubu’s administration places more emphasis on intimidation than on persuasion.
I think it’s obvious that this government’s approach is to “force you if we can’t convince you.” And that force seems to be at work for the time being. However, he said, “politics can change in a day.”
Momodu also attacked the APC’s internal instability, saying that the party’s strength comes solely from its financial resources.
“The APC is in more trouble than any other political party in Nigeria; the only thing holding it together right now is the access to resources they have to share.
“But beneath that surface, there are serious problems. For nearly two years, APC members have blamed former President Buhari for the country’s issues.
“Now, the same party is running back to Kaduna, trying to appease him. Whether he accepts their efforts or not doesn’t matter much to me,” he stated.
Momodu claimed that governors are being threatened to support APC or face attacks.
“They’re being told behind the scenes, ‘If you support us, we’ll leave you alone. If you don’t, we’ll make life difficult for you.’ That’s the reality of the current political climate.
“And honestly, I don’t blame the governors. What choice do they have?” He said.
Citing the emergency rule in Rivers, the PDP chieftain said the suspension of Siminalayi Fubara as the governor sends a clear message to dissenters.
READ ALSO: Massive Blow to PDP as Delta Governor Joins Rival APC
“Rivers State was peaceful, yet Fubara was suddenly removed in a swift and aggressive move orchestrated by a minister in Abuja, Nyesom Wike.
“Nothing happened afterwards — no consequences. That sent a message, and now everyone is taking note.
“If that isn’t coercion, then what is? What exactly was Fubara’s offense that warranted such a response? Now we hear he’s negotiating with them. That’s his choice. I’m not concerned with who he negotiates with,” he added.
Momodu urged Tinubu not to put his faith in desperate politicians, saying that his priorities should be protecting democracy rather than using force to win a second term.
He asserted that Tinubu, who had previously supported democracy, must now permit democracy to flourish in Nigeria or face profound regret in the future.
