Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South Senatorial District, has outlined stringent conditions under which he would consider defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The lawmaker said any move to join the APC would depend largely on far-reaching changes in the approach of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly policies he believes have worsened the living conditions of Nigerians.
Speaking during an interview on Monday, Abaribe said his primary demand would be a reversal of policies that, according to him, “punish Nigerians.”
He also said the size of government must be significantly reduced, while presidential aides and other officials should be properly monitored and restrained.
Abaribe stressed that Nigeria is governed under a democratic system and not a monarchy, adding that leadership must reflect democratic values and accountability.
Asked whether he would defect to the APC if personally invited by President Tinubu, the senator said he would first lay out his conditions before taking any decision.
“You must review all your policies, especially those that punish Nigerians, and reverse them. That is number one.
“Number two, you cut down your government. Number three, you rein in all the people around you. There are many other things we would also tell him,” he said.
He noted that it would be left to the President to determine whether such conditions could be met, insisting that governance should not be carried out in an authoritarian manner.
“This is not a monarchy; it is a democracy,” Abaribe said, adding that he would most likely be the last person to defect to the APC.
“If I ever defect, it would mean there are practically no other political parties left in Nigeria,” he concluded.
