By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday described the opposition, including coalition movements, as dead, stressing that, as currently composed, only empty vessels are left behind.
As if mocking the opposition further, the President said he is optimistic about more defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said that as many as are willing to join the APC fold are most welcome to the party.
Tinubu made this statement while delivering his address at the APC National Summit, themed “Renewed Hope Agenda: The Journey So Far.”
According to him, the movement of party members is protected under the freedom of movement, as outlined in Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The President said this in reaction to the recent mass defections of some prominent political members, especially from the main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Recall that in April 2025, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, along with former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other top PDP officials, defected to the APC.
The President’s remarks came just as all 22 Progressive Governors, under the auspices of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu.