APC Offering Bribes To Our Candidates To Defect – NDC

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken its ranks by offering money, political appointments and other incentives to its candidates to secure their defection ahead of the 2027 elections.

This was just as the opposition party described the alleged inducements as desperate attempts by the APC to undermine its growing political strength.

Meanwhile, the party announced plans to hold fresh congresses to elect replacement candidates in constituencies affected by the defections.

This was contained in a statement released on Tuesday and signed by NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director.

Politics Nigeria reports that the NDC alleged that some of its candidates had abandoned the party in exchange for financial and personal benefits offered by the ruling party.

“The NDC is fully aware of the desperate and malicious tactics of the APC, which has resorted to offering money, political appointments, and other material incentives to induce some money-minded candidates of our party to jump ship and defect to its sinking fold,” the statement said.

It further condemned the alleged defections, accusing the affected candidates of lacking the ideological commitment and principles expected of its members.

“For those who have fallen for this bait, it is clear that they lack the values, virtues, and ideological commitment associated with our great party. They were never truly of us,” the statement added.

The NDC further dismissed the departing candidates, saying their exit would not undermine its political objectives.

“To them, we say good riddance to bad rubbish, and we wish them luck in their political misadventures,” the party said.

It explained that fresh congresses would be conducted to select new candidates for the affected constituencies, citing provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

However, the party did not name the candidates allegedly induced to defect or disclose specific details of the offers said to have been made to them.

The NDC also urged its members, supporters and Nigerians not to be discouraged by the development, insisting that the alleged defections would not derail its political ambitions.

“We wish to reassure our teeming party members, supporters, and well-meaning Nigerians not to be perturbed by the antics of the ruling party in bribing a few of our members,” the statement said.

The party portrayed the alleged defections as evidence of the APC’s declining political fortunes, expressing confidence that the ruling party would lose the forthcoming election.

“These are the last kicks of a dying horse that has seen the handwriting on the wall of its imminent defeat,” it added.

Reaffirming its political agenda, the NDC said it remained committed to replacing what it described as the country’s failed leadership with a government capable of delivering good governance, security and prosperity.

“The NDC remains resolutely committed to its historic mission of rescuing our country from the vice grip of the buccaneers in power and giving Nigerians the good governance, security, and prosperity they so richly desire,” the statement said.

The NDC’s allegations come amid reports of recent defections involving former legislative candidates from the party and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The former candidates reportedly defected to the APC in Abuja under the leadership of Princess Dr Aslam Aliyu Zamfara.

They were received at Buhari House by the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and pledged to mobilise two million grassroots votes for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Separately, the NDC suffered another setback following the resignation of its Bauchi State governorship candidate, Ibrahim Kashim.

Kashim, a former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, announced his resignation in a statement dated October 16, 2026.

He said the decision followed careful reflection, adding that his departure from the party would not affect his commitment to political reform and socio-economic development in Bauchi State.

According to him, the state deserved purposeful leadership, a stronger economy, greater opportunities for young people and women, improved security, and a future where citizens could live with dignity and hope.

Kashim also disclosed that consultations were ongoing with political stakeholders and groups that shared his vision for a peaceful and prosperous Bauchi State.

He urged his supporters to remain calm and united, promising to announce his next political move in due course.