President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has refuted claims that Nigeria is sliding into a one-party state under his leadership, following a recent wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during his Democracy Day address to a joint session of the National Assembly, Tinubu dismissed the speculation as baseless panic from a disorganized opposition. He described the APC as a political refuge for leaders jumping ship from failing parties, asserting that no one should be blamed for seeking survival from a “sinking ship even without a life jacket.”
“At no time in the past, nor any instance in the present, and at no future juncture shall I view the notion of a one-party state as good for Nigeria,” Tinubu said, firmly stating that he would be the last person to support such an agenda.
He recalled his stance in 2003 as the last opposition governor standing in the South-West, despite pressure and manipulation from the then-ruling party. He emphasized that it was the failure of that attempt at political domination that birthed the APC and paved the way for his eventual rise to the presidency.
Mocking the disarray within the opposition, the president stated, “Political parties fearful of members leaving may be better served by examining their internal processes and affairs rather than fearfully conjuring up demons that do not exist.”
He added, “I will not help you put your house in order. It is, indeed, a pleasure to witness you in such disarray.”
Welcoming new APC members, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno, Tinubu assured that the APC remains open to all who share its vision, regardless of previous affiliations.
He reiterated that political competition must be embraced, not eliminated, and called for cooperation across party lines in the interest of national unity and development.
“A one-party state is not in the offing. Nor should it ever be,” he concluded.
