The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected claims that defecting to the ruling party offers protection from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mustapha Salihu, the APC National Vice Chairman for the North East, said joining the party does not guarantee immunity from investigation or prosecution.
He spoke on Saturday night at his private residence in Yola, Adamawa State, while addressing journalists on growing public perception around political defections and anti-corruption efforts.
Salihu described the belief as a deliberate attempt to undermine the administration of President Bola Tinubu. He said the current government has a firm stance against corruption and will not compromise on accountability.
His comments came against the backdrop of criticism from former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, who recently accused the APC of becoming a refuge for individuals fleeing EFCC scrutiny.
“It is my belief that more patriots will soon join us even as the PDP self-destructs and the APC becomes a haven for EFCC fugitives,” Babachir said.
He went further to accuse the ruling party of being “delusional,” alleging that its strategy was to “write election results even before elections begin.”
“This is pure delusion because it will not happen. Nigerians will back us to frustrate any criminal manipulation of the 2027 election results,” Babachir added.
Responding, Salihu dismissed the accusations and challenged critics to provide evidence of wrongdoing instead of making sweeping claims.
He said anyone with credible proof against any APC member should submit a formal petition, stressing that the party will not shield anyone found guilty of corruption.
According to him, several party members are already facing accountability, with some returning funds to government authorities.
“A lot of APC chieftains have done free bargain, and they are returning money. Anyone that stole money will be prosecuted, even if you join APC, because this administration has zero tolerance for corruption, as corruption killed the economy of the country,” he said.
Salihu also reflected on the origins of the APC, explaining that the party was formed as a coalition to remove former President Goodluck Jonathan from power.
“We succeeded, and Jonathan was sent out of power,” he said.
He explained that after the 2015 victory, ideological differences emerged within the party.
“After that, people with a one-party ideology of policy-seeking coalition stayed on one side, and political pirates or buccaneers stayed on the other side,” Salihu stated.
He added that those who were only interested in power eventually left the party, while those focused on governance and policy remained.
“The power-seeking coalition is no longer in APC because they could not get what they wanted, but for the majority, we were a policy-seeking coalition, so we remain to build the country,” he said.
Turning his attention to opposition parties, Salihu predicted that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) would not survive beyond the 2027 general elections.
He described the party as another power-driven alliance lacking internal cohesion.
“ADC is a power-seeking coalition, so it would not last, because 80 per cent of the people that joined or fused into ADC are presidential candidates,” he said.
According to him, the ambitions within the ADC would eventually lead to internal conflict.
“They already have a notion of a Messianic attitude, so nobody is going to step down or support another candidate,” Salihu added.
He warned that once such ambitions fail, members would defect again in search of new platforms.
“This power-seeking coalition will not agree, and there is no compromise among them; it is winners-take-all. Immediately, what they are looking for does not materialise, they will take off to another new party,” he said.
On speculation about Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri possibly joining the APC, Salihu said political talks are not conducted in public view.
“Our job in APC is to woo everyone into the party. I will be happy if Fintiri joins my party today,” he said.
He stressed that preventing anyone from changing political affiliation goes against democratic principles.
“It is criminal and undemocratic to stop anyone from joining any group of their interest,” Salihu stated.
“If he comes to APC, good; but if he does not, I will wish him well. But I will not wish him good luck,” he added.
