By: Admin
 |
| Manoah Kikekon and APC |
Manoah Kikekon a Journalist has slammed the recent wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), calling it a self-serving maneuver by politicians rather than a genuine alignment with governance ideals.
In an exclusive interview with Vanguard Newspaper, published on Friday, Kikekon argued that the trend reflects a desperate scramble for power and protection, with little regard for democratic accountability or public welfare.
Kikekon highlighted how the APC, under President Bola Tinubu, has aggressively courted opposition leaders to weaken rival parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
"This isn’t about ideology or development," he stated. "It’s a calculated move to create a one-party state, where corrupt politicians trade their principles for immunity and access to power" .
 |
| Vanguard Newspaper published on June, 22nd 2025. |
The journalist noted that many defectors including governors and lawmakers are motivated by promises of automatic tickets, contracts, and protection from prosecution.
The fallout, according to Kikekon, is dire for Nigeria’s democracy. With opposition voices dwindling, citizens face a future without checks on government excesses.
"Leaders are abandoning their duty to challenge bad policies, leaving Nigerians to suffer unchecked inflation, insecurity, and poverty," he warned.
Recent defections, like those of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom lawmakers, exemplify this trend, where personal survival trumps public service.
Critics allege that Tinubu’s administration is exploiting state resources and subtle coercion to lure defectors, further eroding trust in democratic institutions.
"When politicians switch parties like costumes, it signals the death of ideology and the rise of authoritarianism," Kikekon remarked, citing the PDP’s collapse and Labour Party’s internal fractures as symptoms of a broader crisis .
As the APC celebrates its expanding dominance, Kikekon urged Nigerians to demand accountability. "A democracy without opposition is a dictatorship in disguise," he asserted. "Until leaders prioritize the people over power grabs, our nation’s suffering will only deepen".
With 2027 looming, the journalist’s warning underscores a pivotal question: Will Nigeria’s democracy survive this unchecked power consolidation?