Former Benue State governorship aspirant and Coordinator of the Conference of Minority Tribes, Okokwu Ogenyi, has cautioned that the wave of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the country is largely fueled by personal political ambitions rather than genuine ideological alignment.
Ogenyi, who also serves on the Governing Council of the Nigeria French Language Village in Badagry, Lagos, made this known in an interview with journalists . He noted that while some politicians sincerely support the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, many others are motivated by self-interest and the desire to secure re-election or protect their political relevance.
“Some of the politicians defecting to one party or another are not doing so based on ideology. Many are acting out of personal interest, while others genuinely believe that President Tinubu has laid a solid foundation and want to contribute to building on it,” Ogenyi stated.
He cited the recent defection of the Governor of Enugu State from the PDP to the APC as an example, saying such moves often stem from personal conviction and political calculation rather than ideological commitment. “While some join for genuine reasons, others do so to secure re-election tickets. The APC is a large family, and many see joining it as a means of safeguarding their political future,” he added.
Ogenyi urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in upholding their parties’ ideologies, warning that unchecked defections could cause internal discord if newcomers fail to align with their new party’s progressive vision. He emphasized that political success is not measured by the number of defectors but by performance, effective communication, and public trust.
“Defection may increase a party’s numbers, but numbers alone don’t guarantee victory. What truly matters are the achievements of the president and governors, and how well these accomplishments are communicated to the people,” he concluded.
