Dele Momodu Warns Tinubu on PDP Defections to APC

 In a riveting critique that has set Nigeria’s political sphere ablaze, veteran journalist and PDP stalwart Dele Momodu declared on April 23, 2025, that he is “not surprised” by the wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing President Bola Tinubu of wielding coercive tactics to swell his party’s ranks.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Momodu described the defections, particularly in Delta State, as a “game of survival” driven by fear rather than loyalty or admiration for Tinubu’s leadership. His words, sharp and unflinching, cast a spotlight on the fragile state of Nigeria’s democracy as the 2027 elections loom.

Momodu pointed to the high-profile defection of Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, noting that Okowa’s move followed “serious harassment” in recent times. “What would surprise me is if President Tinubu believes people are joining APC because they love him or because he’s doing fantastically well,” he remarked, urging the president to prioritize democratic values over consolidating power through intimidation. He criticized Tinubu’s administration for employing a “carrot and stick” strategy, warning that such tactics could erode trust and destabilize the political landscape. Momodu also referenced the controversial state of emergency in Rivers State, which suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as a chilling message to dissenters.

The PDP chieftain’s caution to Tinubu was both a plea and a prophecy: “Don’t trust these politicians. Focus on upholding democracy, not securing a second term through coercion.” His remarks, delivered with the gravitas of a seasoned observer, have sparked fervent debate, with analysts questioning whether Tinubu’s APC is building a coalition of conviction or one forged in fear.