Movement plans mass defection to APC

The Maji Johnson Bello Movement has pledged to mobilise thousands of Nigerians to join the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the APC National Chairman’s Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the assurance was given during a courtesy visit by the movement’s executives to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, where discussions were held on the planned defection and integration of the new members into the APC.

Receiving the delegation, the APC National Chairman’s Personal Private Secretary, Jibrin Bancir, described the development as a sign of growing confidence in the ruling party, assuring the incoming members of seamless integration into its structures from the ward to the national level.

It stated, “Bancir said the APC was particularly encouraged by the organisational capacity, grassroots reach and political network which the movement was bringing into the party, stressing that the APC remained open to Nigerians who were genuinely committed to the progress, stability and development of the country.

“He assured the incoming members that the party would put in place appropriate mechanisms to ensure their seamless integration into the various structures of the APC.

“We are delighted by the huge capacity that the MJB Movement is bringing to the table. The APC is ready to receive and integrate all of you into the structures of the party.

“We will work out the necessary procedures to ensure that everybody has a place to operate and contribute meaningfully at the local level.”

Bancir also stressed the importance of grassroots participation in Nigerian politics, assuring that the incoming members would be duly registered and integrated into the APC structures from the ward level.

The statement added, “Politics is local. We will ensure that everybody knows you in your local government as bona fide members of the APC.

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“We want you to become part and parcel of the party at the ward, local government, state and national levels. Your contribution will be valued, and your political capacity will be put to good use.

“He urged the leadership of the MJB Movement to continue with its mobilisation efforts while assuring them that the APC leadership would provide the necessary institutional support for a smooth transition and integration of the decampees.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the MJB Movement, Maji Johnson Bello, said the decision to join the APC was driven by the group’s belief that President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms offered the most viable solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges.

Bello said the movement had carefully assessed the country’s situation and concluded that the President’s reform agenda deserved the support of Nigerians seeking a stronger and more prosperous nation.

He added that the decision was not motivated by political convenience but by the movement’s desire to support the administration’s efforts to reposition the economy, noting that it would use its grassroots network to mobilise more Nigerians to join the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We have taken time to examine the situation in the country and the reforms being undertaken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We are convinced that the direction of the administration offers Nigeria the best opportunity to overcome its present economic realities and build a stronger future,” he added.

Ahead of the 2027 elections, politicians who lose out in their respective parties may seek new political platforms.

Past election cycles have shown that many opposition politicians often defect to the ruling party after failing to secure their desired positions within their parties.