APC overloaded with defectors… It may capsize – Ndume

Former Chief Whip of the Senate and senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has warned that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may capsize under the weight of ongoing mass defections of governors and lawmakers from opposition parties into its fold.

Ndume spoke at the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Annual Award Lecture held at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja on Sunday night.

Daily Trust reports that Governors of Akwa Ibom, Umo Eno; Delta, Sheriff Oborevwori; Enugu, Peter Mbah; and Bayelsa, Douye Diri, have all dumped the PDP for the APC in recent weeks.

The ruling party has also secured more than a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly due to a wave of defections.

Receiving the award for the Most Outstanding Legislator and Advocate of National Unity, Ndume, an APC chieftain, criticised the quality of defectors flocking to the party.

“I have warned that the APC is becoming overloaded. And when you overload a ship, especially with empty cargo, it risks capsizing. If it capsizes, the owner of the ship will face a bigger problem,” he said.

Ndume said many of the defectors contribute “nothing” to the ruling party after joining, despite being generously accommodated.

“Some governors join and automatically become leaders of the party in their states, yet they remain silent and add no value. The PDP is struggling to play the opposition role, but we in the APC are not persuading anyone to join. They come because their house is on fire,” he added.

The Borno lawmaker urged Nigerians to support the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration as it works to address the country’s growing challenges.

While acknowledging the president’s “sincerity”, he expressed concern that several ministers and key presidential aides lack the necessary capacity to deliver on their mandates.

Earlier, Mrs. Dame Azikiwe, called on contemporary public office holders to emulate the selfless service and patriotic commitment of First Republic leaders.