By Clement Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of bribing some of its candidates with money, political appointments and other material incentives to defect, describing the alleged moves as desperate attempts to weaken the opposition party.
The NDC said it would conduct fresh congresses to elect replacement candidates in affected constituencies, insisting that those who defected lacked the ideological commitment and values of the party.
The party made the allegations in a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq., in Abuja.
According to the statement, the party had become aware that some of its candidates were being induced to abandon the NDC for the APC for what it described as pecuniary reasons.
“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.
The party dismissed the defectors as individuals who were never genuinely committed to its ideals, saying their departure would not undermine its political mission.
“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 NDC stated.
The party added: “To them, we say good riddance to bad rubbish, and we wish them luck in their political misadventures.”
On its plans to fill the vacancies created by the defections, the NDC said it would immediately organise fresh congresses to elect what it described as credible, competent and trustworthy candidates in the affected constituencies.
It said the exercise would be conducted in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The opposition party also urged its members, supporters and Nigerians not to be discouraged by the alleged attempts to lure some of its candidates away, describing the development as a sign of the ruling party’s impending electoral defeat.
“These are the last kicks of a dying horse that has seen the handwriting on the wall of its imminent defeat,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its commitment to challenging the APC, the NDC said its mission was to rescue Nigeria from what it called the “vice grip of the buccaneers in power” and deliver good governance, security and prosperity to citizens.
Precise Post recalls that the APC is yet to respond to the allegations contained in the statement as of the time of this report.
