The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed readiness to welcome more than 10,000 members of various political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), who are set to formally join the ruling party under the auspices of the Maji Johnson Bello (MJB) Movement.
The development followed a courtesy visit by the executive members of the MJB Movement to the National Secretariat of the APC in Abuja on Tuesday, where they met with the leadership of the party ahead of the planned formal defection ceremony.
The visit was part of ongoing consultations and preparations for the official decamping of thousands of members of the Movement from different political platforms into the APC, with the leadership of the Movement reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the ruling party through massive grassroots mobilisation.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, his Personal Private Secretary, Comrade Jibrin Bancir, described the decision of the MJB Movement and its members to join the APC as a significant development and an indication of growing confidence in the party and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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.
According to him, the new members would not merely be welcomed into the party but would be encouraged to actively participate in its activities and structures 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.”»
Bancir further emphasised the importance of grassroots participation in Nigerian politics, noting that the APC would ensure that the incoming members were properly registered and integrated beginning 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.”»
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 in his address, the Chairman of the MJB Movement, Honourable Maji Johnson Bello, said the decision of the Movement to join the APC was informed by its conviction that the reforms being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented the most realistic pathway towards addressing the economic challenges facing Nigeria.
Bello said members of the Movement had carefully considered the direction of the country and concluded that President Tinubu’s reform agenda deserved the support of Nigerians who genuinely desired a stronger, more productive and prosperous nation.
He explained that the Movement was not joining the APC merely for political convenience but out of a deliberate decision to identify with what it described as the administration’s efforts to reposition the Nigerian economy and lay the foundation for sustainable national development.
According to him, the MJB Movement had resolved to deploy its extensive grassroots network to mobilise additional Nigerians into the APC ahead of the 2027 general 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.”
Bello said the forthcoming defection would only be the beginning of a broader mobilisation exercise, stressing that the Movement would continue to reach out to Nigerians at the grassroots and encourage them to support the President and the APC.
He said the MJB Movement had the capacity to bring thousands of politically active Nigerians into the APC and would work tirelessly to strengthen the party’s structures across the country.