‘Game of survival’ — Dele Momodu says defections to APC driven by fear

Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation Magazine, says President Bola Tinubu is using coercive tactics to pressure opposition politicians into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Momodu said many politicians switching allegiance to the APC are doing so out of fear, not loyalty or belief in Tinubu’s leadership.

“I’m not surprised about it (Okowa’s defection)—he’s been under serious harassment in recent times; it’s nothing new,” Momodu said.

“What would surprise me is if President Bola Tinubu truly believes people are joining the APC because they love him or because he is doing fantastically well.

“What people are doing now is a game of survival; gone are the days when we used to boast that going to prison made one a martyr.

“We once admired the likes of Nelson Mandela, MKO Abiola, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo for enduring detention in the name of principle. These days, nobody wants to go to detention.

“Everybody wants to stay at home and talk about the money they’ve made from politics — name one politician who has not been harassed by either the EFCC or the ICPC at some point.”

Earlier, Sheriff Oborevwori, Delta governor, left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC amid a wave of high-profile defections.

Ifeanyi Okowa, former Delta governor and PDP vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, is also expected to defect to the ruling party.

“Be assured that we will not go in the wrong direction. We will take the best direction, the best path for our people,” Okowa said in a video circulating on social media.

Kawu Sumaila, senator representing Kano South, also resigned from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and joined the APC — further swelling the ruling party’s ranks ahead of the 2027 general election.

Momodu, a PDP chieftain, said the defections are part of a broader strategy by the Tinubu administration to consolidate power through intimidation rather than persuasion.

“For me, it’s clear that this government’s strategy is ‘If we can’t persuade you, we’ll force you.’ And for now, that force appears to be working. But politics can change in 24 hours,” he said.

He also criticised the APC’s internal instability and said the only thing keeping the party afloat is access to resources.

“The APC is in more trouble than any other political party in Nigeria; the only thing holding it together right now is the access to resources they have to share,” he said.

“But beneath that surface, there are serious problems. For nearly two years, APC members have blamed former President Buhari for the country’s issues.

“Now, the same party is running back to Kaduna, trying to appease him. Whether he accepts their efforts or not doesn’t matter much to me.”

Momodu said many governors are privately being given an ultimatum to either “support the ruling party or face targeted attacks”.

“They’re being told behind the scenes, ‘If you support us, we’ll leave you alone. If you don’t, we’ll make life difficult for you.’ That’s the reality of the current political climate,” he said.

“And honestly, I don’t blame the governors. What choice do they have?”

Citing the emergency rule in Rivers, the PDP chieftain said the suspension of Siminalayi Fubara as the governor sends a clear message to dissenters.

“Rivers State was peaceful, yet Fubara was suddenly removed in a swift and aggressive move orchestrated by a minister in Abuja, Nyesom Wike,” he said.

“Nothing happened afterward — no consequences. That sent a message, and now everyone is taking note.”

“If that isn’t coercion, then what is? What exactly was Fubara’s offense that warranted such a response? Now we hear he’s negotiating with them. That’s his choice. I’m not concerned with who he negotiates with.”

Momodu asked Tinubu not to trust desperate politicians, adding that his focus should be on upholding democracy, not securing a second term through coercive means.

He said Tinubu, once a pro-democracy figure, must now allow democracy to thrive in Nigeria or risk facing deep regret later in life.