Stop blaming Tinubu for defections, Oyintiloye tells opposition

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun state, has asked opposition parties to stop blaming President Bola Tinubu for the wave of defections to the ruling party.

Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, Oyintiloye, a former member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said political realignments are not new in Nigeria’s democratic space and should not be attributed to presidential influence or coercion.

He insisted that internal crises and weak democratic practices within the opposition are responsible for the trend.

“Many of those defecting have cited being sidelined, undermined, or unfairly treated in their former parties,” he said.

“They are simply moving to a party they believe offers a sustainable transformation agenda.”

He added that recent defections are ideologically driven and not the result of inducements or pressure as suggested in some quarters.

Oyintiloye argued that the growing number of opposition politicians joining the APC is a reflection of confidence in the Tinubu administration’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

“This season of political recalibration shows that APC is viewed as a serious platform capable of transforming the country,” he added.

The former federal lawmaker predicted that more opposition members, especially from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would join the ruling party in the months ahead.

“Blaming the president is a distraction. What the opposition needs is a robust internal structure that promotes transparent primaries, inclusive decision-making, and tolerance for dissent,” he said.

Oyintiloye also dismissed concerns that the gale of defections could lead to a one-party state.

“With over 60 registered political parties in the country, it is misleading to suggest that defections into the APC will erode democratic plurality,” he added.

“Democracy thrives when all parties are strong, not when they collapse from within.”

He cautioned the APC against complacency, saying the ruling party must also prioritise internal democracy and ensure that loyal members are not displaced by new entrants.

“While we welcome defectors, they should not be allowed to override those who have laboured for the party. If not carefully managed, this influx could trigger internal conflict,” he said.