“Why are leaders joining APC? Is it coercion? No,” declared Yusuf Adamu Babayo Gagdi, as he addressed journalists during a media parley held at his Jos residence on Saturday, offering a strong defence of the growing wave of defections into the ruling party.
The member representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency dismissed claims that the increasing number of politicians joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the result of pressure or political manipulation. Instead, he argued that the trend reflects confidence in the party’s governance and leadership.
According to Gagdi, the decision by governors and political leaders to align with the APC is a constitutional right rooted in freedom of association. He stressed that no individual, including the president, has the authority to prevent politicians from joining any party of their choice.
“It will not be fair to accuse the president of forcing anyone to join APC. These are decisions taken freely within the provisions of the constitution,” he said.
Gagdi further rejected suggestions that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party system, insisting that the existence of multiple political parties and the ability of individuals to switch affiliations demonstrate the strength of the country’s democracy.
Providing context for the defections, the lawmaker pointed to what he described as the visible impact of government policies under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He maintained that improvements in infrastructure, economic reforms and governance outcomes are influencing political actors to identify with the ruling party.
“Why are you not open to the fact that APC is doing well and that is why people want to join?” he asked, urging critics to consider performance as a driving factor rather than attributing defections to negative motives.
While acknowledging that not all Nigerians may agree with government policies, Gagdi emphasized that democracy allows for differing opinions, adding that support and opposition are both legitimate features of the political system.
Beyond the issue of party defections, the lawmaker used the engagement to encourage journalists to embrace investigative reporting, particularly in scrutinizing public finances and governance outcomes across states.
He also highlighted his legislative contributions, noting that he has sponsored 58 bills, with six already signed into law, alongside reforms to Nigeria’s policing framework and interventions in the education sector.
The interactive session, which brought together journalists, bloggers, publishers and content creators, was described by Gagdi as an open platform for dialogue rather than a political campaign, even as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Gagdi maintained that public trust in leadership should be based on tangible results, insisting that policies—though sometimes difficult—are designed to deliver long-term benefits for Nigerians.
