By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has defended the wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the trend as a natural outcome of democratic freedom and political alignment.
Speaking at the APC National Policy and Performance Summit held in Abuja on Thursday, May 22, 2025, Tinubu said the defections reflect confidence in his administration’s vision and the APC’s growing appeal.
“What you’re witnessing is democracy in action — people aligning with progress and performance,” the President stated.
The summit, marking the second anniversary of the Tinubu administration, brought together key figures including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje.
While the APC celebrated its widening political influence, critics have raised concerns over the implications of mass defections, warning that Nigeria could be drifting toward a de facto one-party system, which may weaken democratic competition.
Despite these concerns, President Tinubu maintained that political choices must be left to individuals and parties without coercion, asserting that “the people are choosing performance over rhetoric.”