Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has urged opposition parties to cease attributing the increasing number of defections to the APC to President Bola Tinubu's influence. Oyintiloye addressed journalists in Osogbo, emphasizing that such political realignments are a common occurrence in Nigeria's democratic landscape and should not be simplistically blamed on presidential coercion or influence.

Oyintiloye, a former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), insisted that the defections are primarily driven by internal crises and weaknesses within the opposition parties themselves. He noted that many defectors have cited reasons such as being sidelined, undermined, or unfairly treated within their former parties, leading them to seek a more promising platform in the APC.

According to Oyintiloye, these individuals are drawn to the APC because they perceive it as a party capable of delivering a sustainable transformation agenda. He asserted that the recent wave of defections is ideologically motivated rather than the result of inducements or external pressure, as some have suggested.

Oyintiloye argued that the growing influx of opposition politicians into the APC reflects a growing confidence in President Tinubu’s administration and its ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’ He stated that this period of political recalibration indicates that the APC is increasingly viewed as a serious platform with the potential to bring about significant positive change in the country.

Predicting further defections from opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyintiloye advised these parties to focus on addressing their internal issues rather than blaming the President for their lack of cohesion. He suggested that the opposition needs to develop robust internal structures that promote transparent primaries, inclusive decision-making, and tolerance for dissenting opinions.

Oyintiloye also dismissed concerns that the defections could lead to a one-party state, highlighting that Nigeria has over 60 registered political parties. He argued that it is misleading to suggest that the defections to the APC will erode democratic plurality, emphasizing that democracy thrives when all parties are strong, not when they collapse from within.

However, Oyintiloye cautioned the APC against complacency, stressing the importance of prioritizing internal democracy and ensuring that loyal party members are not displaced by new entrants. He warned that if the influx of defectors is not carefully managed, it could potentially trigger internal conflicts within the party. He emphasized that while the APC welcomes defectors, they should not be allowed to overshadow those who have worked diligently for the party over the years.