Popular Nigerian comedian and politician Obinna Simon, also known as MC Tagwaye, has announced his exit from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a post on his official X and Facebook accounts on Friday, March 14, 2025, Tagwaye said he had dumped the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The entertainer-cum-politician said he arrived at the decision after months of intense consultations and introspection.

He further explained that his decision was born out of his conviction that the ruling party has deviated from its original ideals and has shunned commitment to the welfare and progress of Nigerians.

“After months of intense consultation and introspection, I, Obinna Simon, AKA MC Tagwaye, have made the bold decision to resign my membership from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and join the Social Democratic Party (SDP),” he wrote partly.

ALSO READ: SDP youths accuse El-Rufai of attempting to hijack the party, reject his defection

“This decisive move is born out of my deep-seated conviction that the APC has deviated from its original ideals and is no longer committed to the welfare and progress of the Nigerian people.

“The party’s glaring lack of a reward system for loyal members, its gerontocratic leadership structure, and its policies that perpetuate hardship on low-income earners have collectively sounded the death knell on my membership.”

MC Tagwaye highlights APC’s shortcomings

He claimed that the APC’s internal democracy has been atrociously compromised, with a few power brokers paddling the party’s affairs with total disregard for the voices and aspirations of the majority.

He said, “In stark contrast, the SDP has emerged as a beacon of hope, with its unwavering commitment to the youth, internal democracy, transparency, and accountability.

“The party’s vision for a new Nigeria, where the welfare and progress of all citizens are paramount, resonates deeply with me.”

Tagwaye announced that he had formally submitted his resignation letter to his APC ward chairman, marking the end of his association with the party.

“I am excited to join the SDP and contribute to the party’s mission to build a better Nigeria for all.

ALSO READ: El-Rufai: Buhari approved my defection from APC to SDP

“I urge all Nigerians who share my vision to join me on this journey. Together, we can create a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and our great nation,“ he added.

MC Tagwaye became a popular comedian who mimicked former President Muhammadu Buhari‘s speeches and mannerisms.

His defection comes barely a day after Buhari dissociated himself from a purported plan to leave the ruling party, stressing that he remains a committed member.

This is happening less than a week after former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai announced his defection from the APC and joined the SDP, stating that his decision was based on pursuing his political ideals on a different platform.

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the rationale behind his administration’s decision to embark on a raft of radical reforms, saying the primary motive was protecting the interests of future generations.

He made this known while receiving a delegation of former National Assembly colleagues from the aborted Third Republic at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Recall that Tinubu also served as a Senator representing Lagos West before the late General Sani Abacha took over government and halted the Third Republic in 1993.

The President noted that, over the years, the country had spent money meant for future generations and servicing our debt with fuel.

“For 50 years, Nigeria was spending money of generations yet unborn and servicing the West coast of our subregion with fuel. It was getting difficult to plan for our children’s future,” he was quoted as having said in a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.

ALSO READ: ‘I am with you!’ – Tinubu makes fresh pledges to Nigerian youths

Tinubu lists administration’s challenges

Tinubu highlighted his administration’s challenges in its early days, especially economic and social issues, and expressed gratitude for the delegation’s support in addressing them.

“We faced serious headwinds when I took over, very challenging times. Nigeria would have been bankrupt if we had not taken the actions that we took, and we had to prevent the economy’s collapse. President Tinubu declared that the administration had been able to stem the tide and expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their collective support in turning things around.

“Today, we are sitting pretty on a good foundation. We have reversed the problem; the Exchange rate is stabilising. Food prices are coming down, especially during Ramadan. We will have light at the end of the tunnel,” the statement added.

The former Lagos State Governor reiterated that firm adherence to democratic tenets is the best route to economic, social, and political development.

ALSO READ: Economic reforms yielding fruits – Agbese slams Bafarawa over open letter to Tinubu

“I am happy that you are holding to your belief in democracy. I thank you for keeping faith and remembering how we started. Some people missed the ball. “Some leadership failed, but we kept the faith with our democratic beliefs and freedom and the right to aspire to the highest office in the land. I am benefitting from it,” Onanuga stated.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Senator Emmanuel Chiedoziem Nwaka expressed his delight at some of the programmes that the incumbent administration had implemented, lauding the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and what the two organisations were offering Nigerians.

“I appreciate you for what you are giving to students because the student population is the largest demographic in the country. I’ve spoken with many of them, and many have benefited from it.

“And the next one is the CREDICORP. That’s a major way of fighting corruption. You see a young man, you come out of school, you want to buy a car, you have to put down cash, you want to buy a house, and you are not married, but with the CREDICORP, you can get things done. I’m following their activities; we are delighted,” he said.

Other delegation members were Senator Bako Aufara Musa, Hon. Terwase Orbunde, Hon. Wasiu Logun, Hon. Amina Aliyu, High Chief Obi Anoliefo and Hon. Eze Nwauwa.

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has declared his willingness to join forces with the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, to give more bite to opposition politics in Nigeria.

Mohammed, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, made this known after a private meeting with Obi at the Government House in Bauchi on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

The Governor noted that he and his party respect the former presidential candidate’s political approach and share his vision for the nation.

He described the former Anambra State Governor as clear-headed about bringing about good governance, impacting the people and uniting the nation.

ALSO READ: Northern youths disowns Gov Bala for opposing Tinubu’s economic reforms

“We have a lot of respect and admiration for him because of his style of politics, his statesmanship, his versatile nature, and his deep knowledge of the economy and governance.

“Peter Obi has a clear vision of where politics and politicians should be in terms of bringing good governance, impacting the people, and uniting the country. It is always a delight to listen to him because of his deep knowledge and mastery of statistics,” Mohammed said in a statement.

Mohammed calls Obi the new face of opposition politics

The Bauchi Governor also declared that Obi has become Nigeria’s new face of opposition politics, heaping praises on the Labour Party chieftain for always making his voice heard.

Mohammed stressed his readiness to work alongside Obi, highlighting the need for the duo to come together for good governance and vibrant opposition equipped with vision and strategy to save the country from the brink.

ALSO READ: VIDEO: Peter Obi to ‘join’ APC – details emerge

He added that the meeting represents a statement of intent that the duo are ready to work together, claiming that his fellow PDP governors align with such an alliance.

“I appreciate what he is doing as a leader of the opposition because, whether we like it or not, he is now the face of opposition politics in Nigeria.

“I want to say clearly that I am ready to work with Peter Obi. We must come together to bring good governance, offer a vibrant opposition with vision and strategy, and rescue this country from mediocrities parading themselves as leaders.

“The time has come for us to step out and act with sincerity and focus. Our coming together is a message, and this message will resonate because my fellow governors support this kind of alliance,” Mohammed concluded.

The development comes amid talks of a coalition of opposition parties to wrestle power from the President Bola Tinubu-led ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

On Monday, March 10, former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai announced his exit from the APC and movement to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) over his claim that the ruling party had left him behind.