The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has dismissed fears that the growing wave of defections into the ruling party poses any threat to Nigeria?s democracy, insisting that people are merely exercising their constitutional freedom of association.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Saturday, Morka said there was nothing undemocratic about politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), or African Democratic Congress (ADC) joining the APC.

?I have no concern whatsoever about that because nothing that has happened in our country ? with people leaving their parties to join the APC ? suggests that our country is sliding into a one-party system,? Morka said. ?People are simply exercising their democratic freedom to choose among competing party alternatives, and they are choosing our party.?

He argued that It would be ?disingenuous? to describe the development as a threat to democracy, adding that it was undemocratic to attempt to restrict people?s political choices.

?Would you have the APC become a gatekeeper and decide who can or cannot come in? Democracy is a system of freedoms, and it is not fair or permissible for anyone to limit the right of people to choose for themselves. The fact that people join APC does not mean we have a one-party system,? he said.

Morka also dismissed allegations that the ruling party uses state apparatus or coercion to lure governors and politicians to defect.

?In a country as massive as Nigeria, how do you cajole governors who are chief executive officers of their states? These are people elected by their constituents to govern. They control their own budgets and have the power to appropriate funds. What exactly would you tell a governor to cajole him?? he asked.

He said rather than blame the APC, opposition parties should conduct ?serious introspection? to understand why their members were leaving.

?If the PDP, Labour, or ADC look inward, they will find that it is their dysfunction and failure of leadership driving people away. Nobody wants to remain in a sinking ship. No serious politician would stay in a party that offers no hope of redemption,? he said.

Morka added that President Bola Tinubu?s administration had revived confidence in governance, which was drawing more Nigerians to the ruling party.

?The President has taken bold measures that have rescued Nigeria and set it on a path of prosperity. That?s what people see and why they are flocking to the APC,? he said.

When asked why some second-term governors were defecting despite not seeking re-election, Morka said political relevance goes beyond holding office.

?A governor remains a political actor even in his second term. If his party can no longer provide a viable platform for succession or governance, what do you expect him to do? In Plateau State, for instance, the governor has not defected, but everyone who matters in the PDP has moved to the APC. That shows where hope lies,? he stated.

He claimed the APC had become a rallying point for progressives nationwide.

?The APC is a party of method and hope under the leadership of the President, who is enacting hope for everyone. Our macroeconomic indicators are improving ? inflation is now around 18% ? and it will continue to go down, translating to more food on the table for Nigerians,? Morka said confidently.

Addressing reports from Plateau State where youths endorsed President Tinubu for a second term, Morka clarified that the meeting focused solely on endorsing the President.

?The endorsement in Plateau was of the President, who received a massive vote of confidence. There was no discussion or resolution about the governor. Governor Mutfwang is not a member of our party, and he has made no indication that he?s joining us. But our party in Plateau is waxing strong, and he?s left with the carcass of the PDP to amuse himself,? he quipped.

He predicted that the APC would record a ?surge of victory? in the state in 2027.

Responding to suggestions that rampant defections reflect a failure of governance and political parties, Morka disagreed.

?My party is not struggling with defections; we are receiving people. Political parties are vehicles through which power is contested ? they are distinct from governments that govern,? he said.

He argued that politicians move not out of failure but self-preservation when their parties collapse internally.

?You can be the best governor, but if your party cannot even field candidates or determine who its leaders are, as is the case with the PDP, then no serious politician will stay. People move to preserve their political future and that of their people,? he explained.

Asked whether the law should be amended to restrict defections, Morka maintained that it remains a democratic choice.

?Governor Oborevwori of Delta State was elected on the PDP platform and has now joined the APC. His record is there for Deltans to judge. In 2027, if he contests under our banner, the people will decide. Governance is governance, and party politics is party politics ? they are related but distinct,? he said.

Morka also dismissed former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola?s claim that the APC had failed Nigerians.

?That statement is neither here nor there,? he said. ?The APC remains the party that offers hope and credible leadership for Nigeria.? (AriseNews TV)

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