ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has sharply criticised the wave of defections sweeping Nigeria’s political space, describing the mass movement into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a “gathering of sinners” seeking political absolution rather than genuine alignment with the party’s ideology.
Dalung, speaking to journalists over the weekend, said the trend is less a sign of the APC’s performance and more an opportunistic scramble by politicians trying to escape accountability for past actions.
“These are people who have committed heinous crimes against the Nigerian people and they are jumping into the APC ship for the forgiveness of their sins,” Dalung said.
“Not that they believe in Tinubu, no; they do not. They are only assembling so that their sins will be forgiven.”
He referenced former Edo State governor and APC stalwart Adams Oshiomhole’s past remark that any corrupt politician would be forgiven upon joining the ruling party.
“So it is a conclave of political cardinals who have committed grave sins against the Nigerian people, and a political party has offered them the opportunity of forgiveness on entrance,” Dalung added.
The former minister said the defections would not enhance President Bola Tinubu’s political fortunes, but rather create internal conflicts that could destabilise the APC.
“You know there is an adage in Hausa that if animals celebrate the death of a butcher, has the knife also died?” Dalung said.
“If beneficiaries of the mandate of the people are defecting, have the people also defected?”
He warned that rather than strengthening the president’s position, the influx of defectors might lead to “an implosion” within the party.
Dalung also addressed speculation that the entrance of high-profile politicians like former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai into the Social Democratic Party (SDP) could unsettle the party’s internal dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He dismissed concerns that El-Rufai’s presence would threaten the standing of Prince Adewole Adebayo, the SDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, whom he described as “a force to beat” and the face of the party’s post-Abiola revival.
“Nobody has promoted the SDP in Nigeria like Adebayo. After Chief MKO Abiola, you rank Adebayo in the contemporary SDP as the highest,” Dalung asserted.
He praised Adebayo’s sustained media presence, consistent critique of government policies, and selfless approach to politics.
“He is not into politics because it must be him; he is into politics to ensure that good governance, justice, the rule of law, equity and fairness is reintroduced and reinforced in the governance structure of Nigeria,” Dalung stated.
Even in the event of an electoral loss in 2027, Dalung said Adebayo would remain a vital team player, citing his commitment to national service since his symbolic pledge on his 50th birthday.
Asked about the SDP’s role in ongoing opposition coalition discussions ahead of 2027, Dalung said while he could not speak officially for the party, he was aware of engagements between SDP leadership and coalition representatives.
“I am aware that the coalition delegation met with the SDP leadership but I am yet to get the details of that discussion,” he said.
“I think that will be made public in due course.”
