Nigeria Democratic Congress Accuses APC of Bribing Candidates

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using financial inducements, material incentives, and political appointments to bribe opposition candidates into defecting. In a statement issued Tuesday, NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director described the defectors as money-minded individuals lacking ideological commitment, characterizing the APC's tactics as the last kicks of a dying horse facing imminent defeat.

Recent defections include Ibrahim Kashim, the NDC governorship candidate in Bauchi State, who resigned and is expected to join the APC. Additionally, Princess Dr. Aslam Aliyu Zamfara led a group of former legislative candidates from the NDC and ADC to the APC in Abuja, where they pledged to mobilize 2 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2027 re-election.

To fill the resulting vacancies, the NDC announced it will conduct fresh congresses to elect new candidates under the Electoral Act, 2026. An anonymous APC chieftain dismissed the bribery claims made by the NDC.