“Common Sense” Activist Ben Murray-Bruce Joins APC, Lauds Tinubu
Ben Murray-Bruce, the self-styled “Common Sense” advocate and former Bayelsa East Senator, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC)
In a shocking event that spells hypocrisy to many, Ben Murray-Bruce, the self-styled “Common Sense” advocate and former Bayelsa East Senator, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), abandoning his long-standing allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). On October 15, 2025, Murray-Bruce announced his switch via a post on X (formerly Twitter), lavishing praise on President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, infrastructure projects, and security measures, describing Nigeria’s current struggles as “birth pangs of national renewal.”
This volte-face starkly contradicts his earlier criticisms of the APC, particularly under Muhammadu Buhari, when he decried similar policies as anti-people. The move has ignited accusations of hypocrisy, with many viewing it as a shameless bid for political relevance.
Murray-Bruce’s defection aligns with a broader political shift in Bayelsa, where Governor Douye Diri and 23 state lawmakers recently abandoned the PDP for the APC. His glowing endorsement of Tinubu’s economic policies—such as fuel subsidy removal and naira floatation—stands in sharp contrast to Nigeria’s grim realities of soaring inflation, unemployment, and fuel prices that have crippled millions. Once a vocal critic of these very measures, the Silverbird founder’s “common sense” mantra now rings hollow, as he celebrates reforms that have deepened hardship for the masses he claimed to champion. This paradox has fueled perceptions that his defection is less about principle and more about securing a foothold in Tinubu’s camp ahead of 2027.
The public backlash on X has been swift and merciless, with users highlighting the irony of Murray-Bruce’s newfound loyalty. One user, @NaijaTruthTalk, posted, “Ben’s ‘common sense’ must be on vacation—praising Tinubu’s economy while Nigerians can’t afford garri!” Another, @LagosWahala, quipped, “From common sense to Tinubu’s sense, Ben has sold his soul for a front-row seat.” A third, @BayelsaVoice, remarked, “This is the same Ben who said APC was killing Nigeria. Now he’s their cheerleader? Shame!” These reactions underscore the widespread sentiment that Murray-Bruce has betrayed his own rhetoric for political gain.
Nigeria’s economic turmoil and political flux cast a harsh spotlight on Murray-Bruce’s defection, which epitomizes the opportunism rife in the nation’s politics. His “common sense” brand, once a rallying cry for accountability, now appears as a hollow slogan, sacrificed at the altar of ambition. By embracing the APC’s agenda—policies he once lambasted as disastrous—the former senator has cemented his image as a political chameleon. With his legacy as a principled voice in tatters, Nigerians are left questioning whether Murray-Bruce’s “common sense” was ever about the people or merely a tool for personal advancement.
About The Author
