Ex-lawmaker hails Tinubu’s tough reforms, says sacrifices today will secure Nigeria’s prosperity tomorrow
Former senator representing Bayelsa East, Ben Murray-Bruce, has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic and structural reforms as the path to Nigeria’s long-term prosperity.
Murray-Bruce, founder of the Silverbird Group and one of the PDP’s long-standing financiers, announced his defection on Wednesday via his verified social media accounts. The move is seen as a major political shift within the South-South, coming amid an ongoing wave of defections that has shaken the PDP nationwide.
“I have known President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu since 1998,” Murray-Bruce said. “He is a visionary leader who is not driven by applause but by results. His reforms may be painful, but they are necessary. In the long run, they will deliver growth, jobs, and progress.”
The former lawmaker, known for his “Common Sense Revolution” advocacy, said his decision was not for personal gain but for the greater good of the country.
“Nigeria needs bold leadership, and President Tinubu is providing that. I am joining the APC because I believe in his courage and his commitment to building a better nation,” he added.
Praise for Tinubu’s Economic Policies
Murray-Bruce commended several aspects of the Tinubu administration’s agenda, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange rate unification, and public finance reforms. He described these steps as “difficult but foundational,” arguing that they will stabilise the economy and attract long-term investments.
He also lauded the president’s efforts in infrastructure development, power sector reforms, and security coordination, describing them as evidence of “a government thinking beyond politics.”
“We may suffer short-term discomfort, but under Tinubu’s leadership, the foundation for Nigeria’s future prosperity is being laid,” he said.
PDP Reacts with Shock
The PDP has expressed disappointment over the defection, describing it as “a loss, but not a surprise.”
A senior party official who spoke to Newsday on condition of anonymity said the move reflected growing frustration within the PDP’s ranks.
“The truth is that many of our big names no longer believe the party can win national elections,” the official admitted. “The defections are symptoms of a larger problem — poor leadership, division, and a lack of direction.”
The official also acknowledged that the PDP faces a credibility crisis, particularly in the South-South and Southeast, regions that were once its traditional strongholds.
APC Welcomes Murray-Bruce
In a statement released in Abuja, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, welcomed Murray-Bruce to the ruling party, describing his decision as “a wise and patriotic step.”
“Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has joined a movement of national renewal. His confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership reflects what millions of Nigerians are beginning to see — that the reforms, though tough, are steering the nation toward sustainable growth,” Morka said.
He added that the APC would continue to open its doors to “progressive-minded Nigerians who believe in the president’s vision for a greater nation.”
Editorial Insight: Defections Reflect PDP’s Decline
Ben Murray-Bruce’s defection is more than a personal choice; it is another signal of the deepening cracks within the PDP. The exodus of key figures such as Nyesom Wike, Peter Mbah, Douye Diri, and now Murray-Bruce shows that the party’s crisis has reached a dangerous point.
The PDP’s inability to reinvent itself since losing power in 2015 has left it vulnerable to both internal dissent and external poaching. As one analyst put it, “The PDP is bleeding, and unless it performs emergency surgery, it will flatline before 2027.”
The ruling APC, on the other hand, appears to be consolidating its dominance. With the addition of influential personalities from the opposition, the party now enjoys increasing presence across all six geopolitical zones — and may face little resistance in future elections.
For Murray-Bruce, his decision aligns with his public image as a businessman who prizes pragmatism over politics. But for the PDP, it is yet another wake-up call — one that could mark the beginning of the end if urgent reforms are not implemented.
Chief Edet Isong. Publisher Newsday