Defectors To APC Shameless, Lack Respect For Electorate — CUPP

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has condemned the recent wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying politicians abandoning their parties lack shame and have no respect for the electorate that voted them into office.

Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, the Secretary-General of CUPP, Peter Ameh, said it was morally wrong for politicians to defect to a party they had actively campaigned against during elections.

According to Ameh, voters made clear choices at the polls after assessing the manifestos of different parties, including the APC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party.

“Those defecting to the APC don’t have shame and respect for the electorate. You contested against this party you are defecting to on the day of the election,” he said.

He questioned the legitimacy of such defections, suggesting that the only possible justification would be if the defectors genuinely believed they had not won the people’s mandate.

“Except if you feel you rigged your election, because the electorate went to the polls, saw APC, PDP and Labour Party on the ballot and decided to ignore the APC and voted for you,” Ameh added.

According to him, voters made their choices based on party platforms and manifestos, not on individuals who later abandon the parties under which they were elected.

“You were canvassing on the manifesto of your party and now you are moving to another party. This is about morality,” he said.

Ameh further expressed hope that Nigerians would eventually take stronger ownership of their democratic future, insisting that the electorate has the power to demand accountability from their leaders.

He recalled the 2023 general elections, noting that while citizens demonstrated a desire for change, there were insufficient structures to protect and sustain the outcome of their votes.

“We hope that one day the people will wake up and determine their own future. They did it in 2023, but there were no structures to defend it. So, they need to go to the next level and say we do it again, we are not giving up because this country deserves better,” Ameh said.