A senior African Democratic Congress (ADC) official, Ladan Salihu, has criticised Nigerian governors who have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), suggesting many now view Bola Tinubu as a “tin god” capable of securing their political future.

Salihu made the comments on Monday during an appearance on The Morning Show on Arise Television.

He argued that some governors believe aligning with Tinubu will guarantee electoral success, rather than relying on the support of the parties under which they were originally elected.

Highlighting Nigeria’s political history, Salihu noted that mass defections do not always translate into victory at the polls. He cited the example of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which at one point controlled about 28 governorships but still lost to the APC in national elections.

“I often wonder, why should a governor, or governors, rush out of the parties where they won convincingly to join the ruling party?” Salihu asked.

He suggested that these defections are politically motivated, driven by calculations aimed at securing power in future elections rather than principles or voter loyalty.

Salihu also criticised the tendency of politicians to rely on individuals rather than God, saying many governors now view Tinubu as the ultimate source of their political authority.

“They believe that he can give them a platform to win elections, as if they don’t need the God you and I serve,” he said.

He described the trend as “shocking and flabbergasting,” reflecting a broader pattern in Nigerian politics where personal ambition often outweighs democratic ideals.

Salihu’s remarks come amid ongoing debates over party loyalty and political realignments ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming elections, highlighting tensions within the country’s political landscape.