The All Progressives Congress (APC) has “no choice” but to admit displaced politicians trooping in from opposition parties, Senator Ali Ndume has declared.
Ndume, who represents Borno South, made the remarks in Abuja at the 6th Annual Nnamdi Azikiwe Award Lecture 2025, held in honour of the late statesman’s 121st posthumous birthday.
The event was themed “The Power of Pan-African Unity: Strengthening Nigeria’s Role in African Integration and Development.”
Responding to former Niger State Governor, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, who boasted that the Peoples Democratic Party had “removed the cancer” destroying it by expelling some members, Ndume questioned whether the PDP could still be revived.
“I wish you good luck. You said that you have removed the cancer. I do not know whether it is too late or your patient will be revived,” he said.
He added that the APC was compelled to open its doors to new entrants, noting that displaced politicians were arriving in droves.
He said, “We in APC have no choice but to accommodate our displaced politicians that are trooping into APC. Our president is a leader… What we need is that charity begins at home. Let us be united.”
The senator emphasised the need for political unity behind President Bola Tinubu, urging opposition parties to focus on nation-building rather than plotting early takeovers.
According to him, some political parties “supposed to play opposition or minority roles” were preoccupied with power struggles ahead of 2027.
“We are far away from 2027, yet the PDP are gathering in Ibadan to say they want to throw away APC. Wait until 2027,” he said.
Ndume urged critics to contribute to governance instead of prematurely positioning for elections.
“Come and contribute to the success of the government,” he added.
‘APC Ship Is Overloaded’ — Ndume Warns Of Risks
The senator expressed concerns that mass defections could overwhelm the ruling party.
He said, “We opened the door. In fact, I warned that APC is being overloaded, and when you have a ship and you have loaded cargo, most of it empty, then there are chances you will capsize.
“And if it capsizes, you, the owner of the ship, will be in a bigger problem. That is why we find ourselves.”
Ndume argued that the PDP was uncomfortable being in the minority and that some of its members were desperate to find relevance within the ruling party.
He recalled that APC leaders had gone out of their way to invite some opposition figures.
“But when your brother is displaced because of a crisis in his party and he knocks at your door, will you leave the door closed or open it?” he asked.
He, however, lamented that many of those defectors had added no value since joining.
“So when they come, as we get them into APC, they are not contributing anything. They do not say anything. They just sit down and be part of it,” Ndume said.
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