NDC accuses APC of inducing defections, says fresh congresses will hold to replace candidates

From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using money, political appointments and other material incentives to lure some of its candidates into defecting, vowing to conduct fresh congresses to select their replacements.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the party was aware of what it described as the APC’s desperate attempts to weaken its ranks ahead of future political contests.

The opposition party described the alleged defections as a sign of a lack of ideological commitment among the affected candidates, dismissing them as individuals who were never genuinely committed to its values.

In the statement titled, ‘Defection of Some Compromised Candidates to APC: Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish,’ it stated, “The NDC is fully aware of the desperate and malicious tactics of the APC, which has resorted to offering money, political appointments, and other material incentives to induce some money-minded candidates of our party to jump ship and defect to its sinking fold.”

Dismissing the defectors, the party continued, “For those who have fallen for this bait, it is clear that they lack the values, virtues, and ideological commitment associated with our great party. They were never truly of us. To them, we say good riddance to bad rubbish, and we wish them luck in their political misadventures.”

The party further described the defections as “the last kicks of a dying horse,” insisting that the APC was apprehensive about its prospects of retaining power. It said it would immediately conduct fresh congresses to elect new candidates in the affected constituencies, citing the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

While expressing confidence that the development would not undermine its political strength, it urged members, supporters and Nigerians sympathetic to its cause not to be discouraged by the alleged inducements.

“The NDC remains resolutely committed to its historic mission of rescuing our country from the vice grip of the buccaneers in power and giving Nigerians the good governance, security, and prosperity they so richly desire,” the statement said.