The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has said the the defection of some of its candidates to the All Progressives Congress was proof that the ruling party is growing increasingly desperate as the 2027 elections draw closer.
NDC said this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director on Tuesday.
Director described the APC’s actions as ‘the last kicks of a dying horse that has seen the handwriting on the wall of its imminent defeat.’
The party accused the APC of dangling money, appointments and other inducements to lure those it described as ‘money-minded’ candidates from its fold.
Director said the APC has been using ‘desperate and malicious tactics,’ offering cash and political appointments to get people to jump ship into what he called its ‘sinking fold.’
‘It has come to the attention of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that some candidates of our party have been bribed by the APC to defect to the ruling and ruinous All Progressives Congress (APC), obviously for pecuniary reasons,’ Director said.
‘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,’ he continued. ‘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 NDC said it would not dwell on the losses, but moves quickly under the Electoral Act 2026, to hold fresh congresses to pick new candidates it considers credible and competent for the affected constituencies.
‘We wish to reassure our teeming party members, supporters, and well-meaning Nigerians not to be perturbed by the antics of the ruling party in bribing a few of our members,’ he said.
The NDC spokesperson insisted that the NDC remains focused on its goal of rescuing the country ‘from the vice grip of the buccaneers in power’ and delivering the good governance, security and prosperity Nigerians want.