The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of blackmailing eminent Nigerians into joining its party in order to give the impression that it is popular and the party to beat in the 2023 general elections.
The National Publicity Secretary of the opposition, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the APC has failed to fulfill its electoral promises to Nigerians, making them jittery of losing the 2023 presidential election.
He said the APC is now in a desperate attempt to poach governors and other eminent Nigerians in PDP through blackmail.
“The situation is worrisome and we have been doing our investigation on what could be responsible for some of our people to be leaving for APC, especially at a time there is a growing discontent by Nigerians and their wish that PDP should return.
“What we find out is that some cabals in APC are going about recruiting our men. The APC cabal going round to recruit PDP governors and senators are Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe and they had Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice as their resort.
“They always make our members believe that the APC will still work its way to power in 2023 and it is better you join them now so you won’t be rigged out. However, if you stay out and remain in PDP, the results will be written against you.
“Also, for those who have ongoing corruption cases and those in office who have been indicted one way or the other, they use Malami to promise protection from EFCC. That is what they promised to Cross Rivers State governor, Ben Ayade.
“That did not come to us as a surprise, because Adams Oshiomhole, their former national chairman publicly said their sins will be forgiven the moment they joined APC,” he said.
Corroborating his claim, Ologbondiyan said, “The 2023 elections is coming and APC has no material to campaign with. They have failed in every ramifications of governance and they know Nigerians can’t wait to kick them out of power.
“So, what they have left is to play the mind game and also blackmail some eminent Nigerians into joining their party. So, at the end of the day, they will say ‘don’t mind the people that are saying we are not popular. If we are not popular, why are the PDP governors joining us?’
“That is the game APC is playing now, game of blackmail and deceit. But it does not translate because the former governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar, was a sitting governor in APC when he was defeated by the PDP.”
