The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections through the use of political pressure and intimidation.

The party alleged that Tinubu was coercing governors and politicians with pending corruption cases or unresolved issues from their time in office to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to limit Nigerians’ options to vote freely in 2027.

The reaction followed the recent defection of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah from the PDP to the APC. Earlier in April 2025, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, alongside the entire PDP structure in the state, joined the APC.

In June, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, also defected to the ruling party.

Speaking in an interview, the PDP’s Director of Media and Communication in Ogun State, Asiwaju Bankole Akinloye, said the wave of defections reflected Tinubu’s fear of political competition, describing it as a desperate attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

According to him, “The current wave of defections by opposition leaders, especially governors, to the ruling APC involves individuals who may not have come clean or have skeletons to hide. They are being pressured to defect so that their sins can be forgiven.”

Akinloye said Tinubu’s administration was “weaponising the fear of prosecution” to consolidate political control, adding that such actions threaten Nigeria’s democracy and the people’s freedom to choose their leaders.

He noted that despite the defections, Nigerians were increasingly dissatisfied with the APC government and would resist any attempt to restrict their political choices.

“No amount of defection can make the PDP lose focus on rebuilding ahead of future elections,” Akinloye stated, adding that the party’s 2023 Ogun State governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, remained committed to the PDP and would not join the APC.

Akinloye also urged the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to guarantee a transparent and credible electoral process in 2027.

“Nigerians have no problem with the governors who defected to the APC; they are more concerned about how INEC conducts the next round of elections. INEC must rise above being used as a political tool in the hands of Tinubu and his rudderless APC,” he said.

He warned that any attempt to impose a one-party system would destabilise the country.

“Tinubu’s idea of governance is to shut the window of choice against the people, but he must be reminded that he who makes free choice impossible is ultimately courting political violence. That would serve Nigeria no good,” Akinloye said.

He reaffirmed that Hon. Ladi Adebutu would remain in the PDP, stressing that “there is no reason to defect to a party that has shown nothing but disregard for the welfare of Nigerians, especially in Ogun State.” (The Guardian)