“So, the defection is more or less a political confession where grave sinners, looters of the national treasury, political bandits and so on go. So that is it. It has no impact on the political situation.”
The APC is aggressively wooing defectors with election tickets, causing unease among loyal members who fear displacement, sources reveal. Party insiders claim new entrants with electoral value may bypass longtime members, as the APC prioritizes winning strategies. “If a new member can secure victory where old members failed, why not field them?” a source argued, dismissing claims that defectors fear anti-graft agencies.
Defectors also seek political relevance by aligning with federal decision-makers to attract projects. “You can’t advocate for your people if you’re not at the table,” a party leader said. However, the influx of bigwigs risks state-level leadership crises, though the party remains confident in Tinubu’s reward system to resolve tensions ahead of elections.
Despite internal rifts, the APC maintains its open-door policy, banking on defectors’ political capital. “We’ll cross the bridge when we get there,” a source said, downplaying concerns. Analysts warn the strategy could backfire if old guards revolt against perceived marginalization.
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