The opposition coalition, led by Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai, responded to the Presidency on Thursday, stating that the defection of Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other PDP leaders was not unexpected.

Mallam Salihu Lukman, a key member of the coalition and former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), released a statement in Abuja, which was made available to The Punch.

Lukman’s statement was in reaction to comments made by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who had mocked Atiku for the defections of his allies to the APC.

“Atiku’s political future looks bleak. The coalition that he, El Rufai, Babachir, and new member Baba-Ahmed are cobbling together has disintegrated.

“Potential allies, including former running mate Ifeanyi Okowa and defunct CPC members, are giving his leprous group a wide berth. Atiku is a loser again,” he stated.

Onanuga’s scathing remark was a follow-up to a similar post by a fellow presidential aide, Tunde Rahman, who also derided the PDP, describing the development as “the biggest shocker ever” for Atiku.

Rahman argued that with the PDP governors now aligning with President Bola Tinubu, the coalition was “dead on arrival.”

But Lukman, a chieftain in the coalition kicked, saying the presidential spokesmen were just humouring themselves.

The politician stated that aside from Okowa and Oborevwori, they are equally aware a few other governors are likely to jump ship.

He said, “First, I think anybody who says this is unexpected will only be deceiving himself. The signals have been there, that some governors are going to decamp. It’s not just one but some governors. The PDP is clearly a shadow of its own self. Although we acknowledge there are people and leaders in the PDP who are optimistic they can rescue the party.

“But if you remember when the governors issued a statement against the coalition, what was our response? Our response was that many of them are working for Asiwaju. Shortly after that, you saw the statement from Akwa Ibom, a,nd of cour,se the Delta governor. It’s not only him. If you check the comments, there are many more being expected.

“On the one hand, people who genuinely worry for the country are expressing fear about a one-party state. On the other hand, the government and APC are jubilating. Look, the beauty of democracy is about competition.

The whole initiative to begin to negotiate the coalition is to ensure that in 2027, Nigerians are presented with options.”

While saying the defection has been long foresaw, Lukman vowed that the opposition figures in the coalition will not be distracted.

The North-West politician also urged the PDD governors and leaders to reconsider their stance on not joining the coalition to form a merger ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“We have gone far and what has happened in terms of some governors and leaders moving into the APC is not going to distract us at all. Not long from now, the full detail of the coalition will be unveiled to Nigerians including the structure and the strategy in terms of how the election will be contested will be clarified.

We want to correct all the mistakes and shortcomings from the Buhari administration to the Asiwaju administration. We want to restore the aspiration of Nigerians by producing leaders and greater country we will be proud of. That is what the coalition is all about. If anybody sees it differently, we are going to correct all of that.

“If we are talking of correcting the mistake of Buhari, correcting the mistake of Asiwaju, we don’t want to produce a government that will be seen as a sectional government. We want to produce a government that Nigerians will be proud of. We don’t want to produce another set of emperors,” he assured.

Ganduje welcomes Kawu Sumaila, other NNPP defectors

A few hours after Lukman’s statement, the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje officially welcomed key political figures who recently defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the APC.

The high-profile decampees include Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South Senatorial District, and Rt. Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, the member representing Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure Federal Constituency.

Others received into the APC fold are former Secretary to the Kano State Government, Dr. Baffa Bichi; former federal lawmaker representing Danbatta/Makoda, Hon. Badamasi Ayuba; Hon. Abdullahi Sani Rogo; Rt. Hon. Zubairu Hamza Masu; Hon. Muhammad Diggol; Hon. Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada; and Hon. Abbas Sani Abbas.

Captured in a series of photographs, the event showed Dr. Ganduje warmly receiving the former NNPP stalwarts, symbolizing their official integration into the APC. The images reflect a celebratory and unified atmosphere as the defectors were seen exchanging handshakes and holding the party’s flags.

Political observers note that the defections were prompted by longstanding grievances within the NNPP, particularly complaints of marginalization and internal party injustice allegedly orchestrated by NNPP leader, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

These and other undisclosed reasons led to the mass exodus of these key figures into what they described as the “blessed fold” of the APC.

PDP kicks as Osun NNPP chairman predicts more defections

Meanwhile, Osun State chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Dr Tosin Odeyemi, has predicted that more people would dump Peoples Democratic Party before the governorship poll.

His prediction comes in the wake of the defection of the lawmaker representing Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Wole Oke.

Odeyemi in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Thursday, specifically said those that would dump PDP are those that love progress of Osun, noting that people would no longer sit back and watch helplessly observing governance degenerating to “mere entertainment.”

Reacting, the PDP dismissed Odeyemi’s claim as a mere wishful thinking, adding that those seeking Adeleke’s exit are people that want political patronage at the expense of well-being of the general populace.

“In contrast to his wishful thinking however, the only people who have left the party so far are are those with parochial interests, those expecting His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke to let loose and open the state vault for their personal greed,” PDP statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Oladele Bamiji read partly.

Odeyemi, who held firmly that people with conscience would be worried about Osun under Adeleke’s leadership, absolved Oke of any blame for dumping PDP.

He further said, “Nobody with right conscience will believe things are going well in terms of governance since the Governor Adeleke led administration took over the affairs of Osun. More people will dump PDP in the state.”

He continued, “Governor Ademola Adeleke surrounded himself with bootlickers that find it difficult to look up to him and advice him rightly. Some of them do not even care about the development of Osun. All they do is to praise-sing Adeleke in his presence and tell people another different things behind him.

“When a person in power lacks good advisers, he will assume to have been doing all things rightly. You don’t around yourself with mediocre and expect positive result. These bootlickers see everybody as an enemy of the government and respond immaturely to criticism about governance, whereas their low-life wouldn’t allow them to realise on time that failure of the leader spells doom for them.

“I won’t blame Honourable Wole Oke for leaving PDP, one thing that is very sure is that before the year runs out, more people with conscience will leave that party because many of them are presently suffering and smiling, they are just buying time. I wish the party knows what is about to befall them. Those that will leave the party openly are few compared to those that will stay to destabilize the party in the state.”

The PDP would not however take any of Odeyemi’s claims, saying contrary to Odeyemi’s “Wishful thinking however, the only people who have left the party so far are those with parochial interests, those expecting His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke to let loose and open the state vault for their personal greed.

“Anyone who cited Hon Wole Oke to line his thoughts of negative wish for osun PDP, is actually one of those without conscience. You cannot mitigate or conscienciously justify someone exciting a platform that has practically served your life, since early 30s and now almost 60 years of age and tell me you have any modicum of conscience. So, if Wole Oke happens to be Tosin’s mentor as a chronic political trader, then the guess of reasonable members of the public is as good as mine.

“His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke will continue to stand firm in service to the good people of the state and that he will continue to be true to his nature as an unrepentant happy soul, away from deceitful expectations of inconsequential elements like Tosin Odeyemi and his one man platform.”

PDP will lose my Federal Constituency in next polls -Wole Oke

In a related development, Oke also predicted huge electoral defeat for the PDP at the next election in the state.

Oke, who recently dumped PDP stated this while speaking on a radio station in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Thursday, said the current state political office holders from the two local government areas that made up the Federal Constituency dont have the capacity to win elections for PDP.

The federal lawmaker, who cited unfair treatment from the PDP and the refusal by the Governor, Ademola Adeleke to fix critical infrastructure in the Federal Constituency made him to exit his former part, added that the project he initiated while PDP was controlling federal government had been stalled since All Progressives Congress took over reign at the Federal.

Asked to react to a claim that PDP would not miss him, Oke said he had wont five elections and only lost once, and predicted a crushing defeat for his former party in the Federal Constituency.

“I don’t argue with people on such issues. You wait until we conduct our next election. I will be able to give you statistics of what will happen in the next election.

“I give you, for example, PDP will not get 500 votes out of close to 9000 votes in Esa-Oke. Take that to the bank. I can also tell you the results in other places. In Ikeji Arakeji, Owenna, Dagbaja, Ipetu-Ijesa, mark my words, PDP will struggle to get 1,000 votes if they are on the ballot. Write it down and if the statistics fail, I will quit politics,” Oke said.

He also said before leaving PDP, he sought opinion of his constituents, who approved his move, adding that, “I decided to leave the PDP. I was part of the foundation member.

“I contested and won elections back to back in the party but after making consultations with my people, with my constituents, in the last two weeks, I have had series of meetings to appraise the situation of our party at the state and national level, we came to the realisation that it is time to quit.”

Defections in other states won’t affect Plateau PDP, says party chair

In Plateau, the Chairman of the State PDP, Chris Hassan, has expressed conviction that the party’s strength and credibility in the state will not be affected by defections in other states.

Hassan, who addressed a press conference in Jos on Thursday, urged party members to remain calm and resolute, emphasizing that defections are not new in political party processes.

His appeal came barely 24 hours after Oborevwori, Okowa, and all members of the PDP structure in Delta State defected to the APC.

Hassan commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his outstanding leadership and good governance, highlighting the governor’s developmental strides, equity, justice, and service to the people.

According to him, Mutfwang’s achievements in less than two years are truly remarkable and a testament to the solid trust and satisfaction in the leadership and direction of the party.

He said “We are deeply grateful in the support of our party faithful and the good people of Plateau state that have reposed confidence in us .We are aware of a lot of threats of defection across some states .We have noted some isolated cases of defections by a few party members to our political parties.

“Let me therefore urge all party members to remain calm and resolute .Defections are not new in political party processes of this nature .However ,we are confident that the strength and credibility of the PDP that is founded on the struggles of our Plateau people.

“We assure the leadership of our party to consolidate on our gains .We will continue to provide the needed platform for the aspiration of our people .Everything is under control and better good days still lies ahead for us.”

The PDP chairman strongly condemned the recent attacks by armed herdsmen in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas that claimed any lives in the past two weeks.

Hassan also commended the governor’s swift response and the proactive efforts of the state security agencies.

“We strongly commend and support the governor’s call for communities to organize and coordinate local security measures in collaboration with neighbouring communities.

“This grassroots driven approach is a proactive and inclusive strategy that recognizes the peculiar security challenges of each locality. It reflects the leadership concern and well-being of his people.

“Indeed our governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang has once again demonstrated that he is a leader who loves and stands firmly for his people”, he stated

Continuing, Hassan acknowledged the coordinated efforts of the military, which noted have already produced results in dislodging the militia from some areas.

The PDP chairman urged all Plateau residents to continue supporting the government, stay vigilant, and remain committed to keeping Plateau the state of their dreams under Governor Mutfwang’s capable leadership.

He said, “The PDP remains the party of our people and for the people .Together ,we shall continue to March towards greater heights of our beloved state . May God bless us all.”

No cause for alarm, we will reposition PDP – Saraki

A former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has also reacted to the PDP misfortune in Delta State, saying the opposition party wouldn’t be discouraged or distracted.

While assuring that the PDP will rise from the temporary setback and work assiduously to reposition the party, the former number three urged those who are still nursing an ambition to abandon the party to quietly exit without making a fuss about it.

He said, “I have been inundated with phone calls from leaders and members of our party as well as various youths who have been active in promoting democracy and good governance in our country. Many of the callers want to know what my reaction is to the defection of top PDP leaders in Delta State and its impact on our party.

“My view is that those who want to leave the PDP should leave now and let the rest of us who want to stay concentrate on rebuilding the party and refocusing it to play the role of a viable opposition that will provide a better alternative for the good people of Nigeria.

“I am convinced that it is important for all Nigerians to work for the sustenance of democracy. And to sustain democracy, there must be viable choices for people at every point. Also, there must be a viable opposition to keep people’s hope alive and create credible alternatives to keep the government on its toes.

“Those who want to leave the party should go and let those of us remaining have a clear view of who we are talking to and where their political loyalty lies. All we need is for those who want to stay back in PDP to show commitment and we can all work to rebuild the party.”

Saraki also warned against having a one-party system in the country.

According to him, a country with diverse cultures, languages and traditions cannot afford to head towards such a route.

“A one-party state as being disingenuously designed by some people will not augur well for a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-religious, and highly diversified society like ours. It is even more dangerous when we eliminate alternatives and make people hopeless.

“Therefore, it is in the interest of Nigeria and the survival of our democracy for the opposition to be vibrant and strong enough with the capacity to replace the ruling party at any point. Thus, my charge to our party members is that the PDP is merely experiencing a rebirth.

“This development has vindicated the stance of people like me who have decided to remain silent and watch events unfold. I have seen that there was no sincerity with supposed leaders of the opposition. One was not sure of the next person one was talking to,” he stated.

The former Senate president appealed to the party’s supporters and loyalists not to engage in the blame game or go after perceived traitors for the dwindling fortune of the PDP.

The Waziri of Ilorin also stated that it will be irresponsible for any leader to admit being pressured into taking the plunge in the manner the Delta governors and his supporters did.

He said, “My appeal to PDP members nationwide is that we should know that the sustenance of democracy is not a sprint. Rather, it is a marathon. It is not a knock-out football match series. It is a league. 24 hours is a long time in politics and nobody can predict how the dynamics will evolve in the coming weeks and months.

“We should stay strong and focus on strengthening the party. It is not necessary at this point to lament why they left. Our party members should also refrain from blaming our woes on the ruling party. That would be a lazy approach. They are playing politics to win elections. It is our responsibility as party members to ignore their antics and seize the moment and momentum to make our party stronger and better.

“Our numerous party members should know that the PDP is better with fewer members who are loyal, sincere, determined, dedicated, and committed to its ideas, ideals, and progress than to have so many who will identify with us in the afternoon and be romancing the ruling party in the night.

“We still have about two years before the next election. That is a long time in politics. We have enough time to brace up to the challenge. There is nothing that prevents us from getting some governors from the other parties to join our ranks. My appeal to our young party members is that this defection is just a mere challenge to us to further mobilize and put our house in order. Also, our women’s wing should seize the opportunity to help in the rebuilding mission.”

Credit: The Punch