By Saminu Ibrahim
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed readiness to receive more than 10,000 members of various political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), into its fold.
The planned defection is being coordinated by the Maji Johnson Bello (MJB) Movement and is expected to take place formally in the coming days.
The development followed a courtesy visit by the executive members of the MJB Movement to the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday as part of consultations and preparations for the defection ceremony.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, his Personal Private Secretary, Comrade Jibrin Bancir, described the planned defection as a significant development and a sign of growing confidence in the ruling party and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Bancir said the APC was encouraged by the organisational capacity, grassroots reach and political network of the MJB Movement.
He assured the incoming members of the party’s commitment to ensuring their seamless integration into its structures, particularly at the grassroots.
“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,” he said.
The APC official stressed the importance of grassroots participation in Nigerian politics, assuring the delegation that the new members would be properly registered and integrated from the ward level.
“Politics is local. We will ensure that everybody knows you in your local government as bona fide members of the APC.
“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,” Bancir added.
He urged the MJB Movement to sustain its mobilisation efforts, promising the necessary institutional support from the APC leadership to facilitate the transition and integration of the new members.
Why We’re Joining APC — MJB
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the MJB Movement, Hon. Maji Johnson Bello, said the decision to join the APC was driven by the group’s belief that the economic reforms of President Tinubu offered the most realistic pathway out of the country’s current challenges.
Bello said members of the Movement had carefully assessed the direction of the country and concluded that Tinubu’s reform agenda deserved the support of Nigerians committed to building a stronger and more prosperous nation.
He maintained that the Movement was not joining the APC for political convenience, but as a deliberate decision to support what he described as the administration’s efforts to reposition the economy and lay the foundation for sustainable national development.
“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,” Bello said.
He disclosed that the planned defection would mark the beginning of a wider mobilisation campaign by the Movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the MJB Movement would deploy its extensive grassroots network to mobilise more Nigerians to support President Tinubu and the APC.
Bello said the Movement had the capacity to bring thousands of politically active Nigerians into the ruling party and pledged to work towards strengthening APC structures across the country.
