A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has advised opposition parties to resolve their internal conflicts and anti-democratic practices instead of blaming President Bola Tinubu for recent defections.

Speaking in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker representing Obokun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, predicted that defections from opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), into the APC would continue.

He urged opposition parties to focus on internal reforms to prevent further loss of members, saying, “So many defectors claimed that they were sidelined, undermined, unfairly treated by their former parties, leaving them with no option but to switch to a party with an agenda for transformation.”

Oyintiloye described political realignment as a recurring feature in Nigeria’s political landscape and attributed the current wave of defections to ideological alignment with the APC administration rather than coercion.

He added, “This season of political recalibration that is leading to a growing number of Nigerian politicians defecting en masse to the ruling All Progressives Congress is an indication that the party has shown encouraging signs of being capable of transforming the country through the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Tinubu.”

The APC chieftain emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to national development as a factor attracting new members to the party, stating, “Mr President has shown commitment to prioritise national development and creating a more viable platform. That is winning members into the APC fold.”

Oyintiloye also dismissed concerns that the defections could lead to a one-party system in Nigeria, noting, “How can the wave of defections to the ruling party lead to a party system when we still have more than 60 registered political parties in the country?”

He urged opposition parties to adopt stronger internal democracy by allowing dissent, transparent primaries, and inclusive decision-making to reduce defections.

Regarding the APC’s own internal management, Oyintiloye stressed the importance of strengthening party unity to accommodate new members without alienating longstanding members.

He warned, “Those opposition members coming in should not displace loyal APC faithful who have laboured to build the party over the years.”