Vanessa 
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has dismissed claims that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is pressuring opposition lawmakers to defect. He said the recent defections happened voluntarily and show growing confidence in the party’s direction and governance style.
During Tuesday’s plenary, Bamidele addressed concerns that President Bola Tinubu and the APC are pushing Nigeria toward a one-party system. He insisted that the defections reflect personal decisions, not coercion.
“We are not in an election season. No one is forcing anyone,” Bamidele stated. “Senator Adamu Aliero, Professor Yahya Abdullahi, and Senator Maidoki are not politicians you can push around. They’ve proven themselves in politics and the private sector.”
He described the lawmakers as leaders who chose national interest over political showmanship. According to him, they joined the APC to contribute to the country’s progress.
Three senators from Kebbi State, Aliero (Kebbi Central), Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Maidoki (Kebbi South), recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC. Their move follows similar defections in the House of Representatives, especially from Delta and Kebbi states.
Last week, Senator Kawu Sumaila (Kano South) also left the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the APC. He blamed unresolved leadership issues in his former party.
Critics claim the APC wants to weaken the opposition and tighten its grip on power. But Bamidele disagreed. He said party realignments are normal in a democracy.
“This is democracy at work. Lawmakers are free to align with platforms that match their goals,” he said. “President Tinubu is not trying to wipe out the opposition. That’s far from the truth.”
Bamidele ended his remarks by urging unity across party lines to address Nigeria’s development challenges.
