Tinubu: I Feel Justified—Those Who Called Wike a Betrayer Are Now Running to APC, Says Showunmi

Segun Showunmi, a prominent voice within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a seasoned political commentator, has weighed in on the growing number of defections from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In an interview with Vanguard, Showunmi said recent political shifts have validated his long-held concerns about opportunism and the lack of ideological consistency among some party members.

Expressing both frustration and a sense of justification, Showunmi noted that several PDP governors and senior figures who once criticized former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike for aligning early with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC are now defecting to the same party. “I feel justified,” he said, pointing out the irony in how Wike was previously labeled a “betrayer” by the same people who are now embracing the APC themselves.

According to Showunmi, these defections reflect a deeper issue within the PDP—a culture where personal political gain is prioritized over party loyalty and principles. He criticized the inconsistency of those who once condemned Wike for making strategic political moves but are now doing the same without offering any clear justification.

He further questioned the sincerity of the defectors’ motives, asking why they didn’t consider joining any of Nigeria’s other registered political parties if their problem was truly with the PDP’s direction or internal politics. “Nigeria has over a dozen registered political parties,” Showunmi said, suggesting that the rush to join the APC has more to do with securing political advantage than holding on to any real beliefs or values.

With the 2027 elections on the horizon, Showunmi’s remarks highlight a growing dissatisfaction within the PDP and a broader critique of Nigeria’s political landscape, where shifting loyalties seem driven more by ambition than ideology or service to the people.