By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) figure, Babatunde Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bob Tarner, has downplayed the recent defection of some party members in Lagos to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as “insignificant and politically inconsequential.”
His remarks follow reports that a group of PDP members, including a party spokesman, formally decamped to the ruling APC on Monday, June 9, during an event in Lagos.
In a statement issued from Epe, where he is observing the Eid al-Adha holiday, Tarner said the defections were driven by self-interest and a lack of ideological grounding.
“Political parties are an aggregation of interests. People come and go based on personal desires—be it for office, money, or followership. There are no permanent friends or enemies in politics,” he said.
Tarner, a stalwart of the Primrose Circle and a committed member of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he hailed as “a symbol of unity and purpose across Nigeria’s political divides.”
“My commitment to the ideology and leadership of Atiku Abubakar, GCON, remains unshaken. Our resolve to build bridges across the Niger continues,” he stated.
He further alleged that the defectors had long been under surveillance, accusing them of holding several clandestine meetings ahead of their official move to the APC.
“Three separate meetings were held—on April 8 and May 27 at Home Touch Restaurant in Somolu, and on May 13 at Eko Club, Surulere. I am aware of the names, their LGAs, and wards. Their activities have been deceitful, falsely claiming to represent the Atiku Coalition Movement,” Tarner alleged.
He also criticized what he described as the “silent bug” within the party—members who, according to him, secretly support defections while maintaining a façade of loyalty.
“The defections amount to fewer than ten people, many with integrity issues. Yet, they’ve made noise far louder than their numbers deserve,” he said, challenging leaders within the PDP’s National Youth For Atiku (NYFA) to take decisive action.
“I await their reaction to this rejoinder—or they should accept their place as leftovers of the silent bug,” he concluded.
The statement reflects ongoing internal tensions within the Lagos PDP as political alignments shift ahead of the 2027 general elections.