By John Ogunsemore
President Bola Tinubu has debunked allegations that the nation is sliding into a one-party state under his administration, but maintained that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) remains open to receiving opposition figures.
Tinubu stated this while addressing a joint session of the National Assembly to mark Democracy Day on Thursday.
He expressed gratitude to members of the National Assembly for their invaluable role in lawmaking, oversight, and constituency representation.
The president added, “At this point, I plead for your indulgence so that I may put a terrible rumour to bed.
“To those who ring the alarm that the APC is intent on a one-party state, I offer you a most personal promise.
“While your alarm may be as a result of your panic, it rings in error. 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.
“I have never attempted to alter any political party registration with INEC.”
The president emphasised that his political history showed he would be the last person to advocate for a one-party state.
He said, “In 2003, when the then-governing party tried to sweep the nation clean of political opposition through plot and manipulation, I was the last of the progressive governors standing in my region.
“In all their numbers and false grandeur, they boasted of ruling, not governing, Nigeria for the next half century or more. Where are they now?
“Yet, I stood alone. My allies had been induced into defeat. My adversaries held all the cards that mortal man could carry. Even with all of that, they could not control our national destiny because fate is written from above.
“A greater power did not want Nigeria to become a one-party state back then. Nigeria will not become such a state now.
“The failed effort to create a one-party state placed progressive political forces on a trajectory to form the APC.
“It put me on the trajectory which has brought me before you today. I dare not do such a favour to any political adversary by repeating the same mistake of political overreach.”
The president stressed that “a one-party state is not in the offing. Nor should it ever be”.
However, he said that “we cannot blame anybody seeking to bail out of a sinking ship even without a life jacket.”
Tinubu said, “That said, we would be guilty of political malpractice if we closed the door on those from other parties who now seek to join the APC and I sincerely welcome our party’s newest members from Delta and Akwa Ibom States led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Pastor Umo Eno and other members of this National Assembly.
“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.
“For me, I would say try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you do so. It is, indeed, a pleasure to witness you in such disarray.
“We must welcome and accept the diversity and number of political parties just as we welcome and embrace the diversity of our population.
“Our efforts must never be to eliminate political competition but to make that competition salutary to the national well-being by working across the political aisle whenever possible.”