Former Governor of Sokoto State and current Senator, Aminu Tambuwal, has expressed frustration over the growing number of defections from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing those leaving of doing so for reasons of “stomach infrastructure.”
Speaking at the PDP National Executive Council meeting for the North-West zone in Kaduna, Tambuwal dismissed the defections as opportunistic rather than driven by any genuine desire to serve the people. However, his comments highlight the deeper crisis within the PDP, as many of its members continue to seek political refuge in the APC.
Tambuwal’s claim that the APC “lacks focus, direction, and compassion” ignores the fact that his own party has been struggling with leadership crises, internal divisions, and a lack of clear policy direction. Many of those defecting argue that the APC, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, offers a more structured and reform-oriented government, making it a more attractive political platform.
Even within the PDP, concerns about disunity and poor strategy are growing. The Chairman of the PDP Northern Zone, Senator Bello Hayatu, acknowledged the party’s challenges, urging members to work toward unity and resolve internal conflicts. His call for a renewed PDP effort to regain power in 2027 signals an awareness that the party is losing ground rapidly.
The defections from the PDP to the APC are not just about personal gain, as Tambuwal claims, but a reflection of the PDP’s dwindling influence and inability to offer a credible alternative. If the party hopes to remain relevant, its leadership must address its internal problems rather than attacking those who choose to move on.