Presidency Explains Opposition Governors' APC Defection

The presidency, represented by special adviser Bayo Onanuga, clarified that the wave of defections of opposition governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not a result of financial inducements, as alleged. Onanuga defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's economic reforms, which included the removal of fuel subsidies and the harmonization of foreign exchange rates, leading to increased state revenues and enabling previously impossible projects.

He cited testimonies from various state executives, including Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who noted project initiation within the first 18 months of Tinubu's presidency. Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah also acknowledged increased federal allocations supporting ambitious development programs.

The statement comes amid significant political shifts, with at least seven governors defecting from the main opposition party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP), to the APC, amidst allegations of a financial inducement scheme involving a total package of N250 billion for defecting governors.