The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, has defended the growing number of politicians defecting to the ruling party.
Speaking at a Citizens’ Townhall hosted by Channels Television on Sunday, Yilwatda dismissed concerns that Nigeria was drifting toward a one-party state.
He argued that defectors were joining the APC voluntarily after losing confidence in their former platforms.
According to him, several opposition parties are weakening internally, prompting members to seek what he described as better organisation and governance.
Yilwatda said the APC’s internal management, mobilisation strategy and consensus-building mechanisms make it attractive to politicians nationwide.
He cited a recent governorship primary in Osun State, where aspirants reportedly agreed on a consensus candidate without litigation.
The chairman maintained that such consensus-building reflects political maturity and distinguishes the APC from rival parties.
In recent months, lawmakers and governors have switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party to the APC.
The ruling party currently controls about 31 governorship seats and holds a majority in the National Assembly.
Critics argue that the trend risks undermining multiparty democracy and shrinking the opposition space.
However, Yilwatda rejected the notion that the APC is engineering a one-party system.
He likened political choice to a marketplace, where individuals gravitate toward platforms they consider more viable.
The APC chairman insisted that competition remains open and that parties must strengthen their structures to retain members.
