From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, took a swipe at opposition parties struggling with mass defections and internal divisions, saying they should focus on their shortcomings rather than accuse the ruling party of trying to build a one party system.
He said this while addressing a joint session of the National Assembly to mark 25 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria. President Tinubu’s remarks came amid growing concerns from opposition figures over the recent wave of defections into the All Progressives Congress (APC), including lawmakers and governors previously elected on the platforms of other parties.
“To those who ring the alarm that the APC is intent on a one-party state, I offer you a most personal promise,” Tinubu declared. “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.”
The president, who restated his commitment to strengthening democracy, said he had never altered any political party’s registration at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“I have no plans to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. I have never altered the registration of any political party in INEC. I will be the last person to advocate such a thing.”
Tinubu, however, affirmed his willingness to welcome any person who deemed it fit to join the ruling APC.
He attributed the allegations to what he called “political panic,” stating that opposition parties should look inward instead of accusing the APC of plotting dominance.
“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” he said.
In recent weeks, Governors Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, both elected on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform, defected to the APC. Similarly, members of the Labour Party have also been moving in numbers, the latest being Senator Neda Imasuen of Edo State.
In his address, Tinubu publicly welcomed them into the fold and defended their right to choose new political alignments, saying, “We would be guilty of political malpractice if we closed the door on those from other parties who now seek to join the APC. A one-party state is not in the offing. Nor should it ever be.”
Referencing his own history as a stalwart of the opposition during the PDP’s years of dominance, Tinubu recalled how he resisted pressure in 2003, when he was the only Southwest governor from the then opposition Alliance for Democracy to survive a PDP sweep.
“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. Even with all of that, they could not control our national destiny because fate is written from above. There is no evidence of any attempt on my part to frustrate democracy or build a one-party state. The opposition is crumbling because of its internal contradictions and lack of vision, not because of anything we are doing” the president said.
Denying claims of coercing members of opposition parties to join the ruling party, he declared, “Democracy offers us the freedom of association. People are free to join the party where they feel they belong. We are not stopping anyone from building their own house, but if your house is leaking and collapsing, you can’t blame the neighbour whose roof is intact.”
In what appeared to be a direct jab at the PDP, which has faced internal leadership tussles and widespread defections since losing power in 2015, Tinubu said, “If a party that was in power for 16 years cannot put itself together in opposition, it is not the fault of the APC. It is not our job to make you strong.”
He added that the failure of that one-party ambition ultimately led to the formation of the APC, and warned against repeating such “political overreach.”
“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.”
He also used the platform to reflect on his administration’s performance after one year in office, acknowledging the tough economic decisions taken so far, but insisting they were necessary for long-term stability.
“We have laid the foundation for a more resilient economy. The journey is not easy, but I can confidently say that the direction is right. We inherited a nation in need of deep reforms, and those reforms are ongoing,” Tinubu said.
He urged fellow political leaders to rise above personal interests and commit to the broader goal of national development.
“This democracy has survived 25 years because some people made sacrifices. As leaders, we owe it to the people not just to play politics, but to deliver results. We must show discipline, tolerance, and patriotism.”
He urged them to “stop playing politics with everything” and, instead, embrace a national spirit that prioritises development over division. Tinubu also took the opportunity to assess his administration’s performance one year after assuming office, particularly in the face of significant economic and security challenges. While acknowledging the difficulties, he said his government had laid a solid foundation for long-term stability.
“We have taken tough decisions necessary to save our economy and reposition it for growth,” the president said. “I am fully aware that these policies have come with pain, but they were essential. We are beginning to see early results and remain focused on achieving prosperity for all Nigerians.”
He noted efforts to stabilise the naira, reform the petroleum sector, and increase investment in agriculture and infrastructure. He cited improved revenue generation, renewed investor interest, and ongoing negotiations with labour unions as signs of progress.
“We are not where we want to be, but we are no longer where we were,” he added.
Turning his attention to Nigeria’s broader political leadership, President Tinubu issued a charge to fellow leaders to place the nation’s interests above personal ambition and govern with integrity.
“Let it be said that we worked and sacrificed for Nigeria,” he told the assembled lawmakers. “Let us put the people first. Let us embrace transparency and patriotism. Let us forgo narrow interests for the sake of our democracy and our future.”
He further encouraged political tolerance and respect for dissenting voices, saying democracy thrives when it allows for the free expression of opposing ideas.
“Be tolerant and broad-minded in your legislative action regarding speech and civil liberties. Do not be afraid to hear an unkind word spoken against you. Some of the best advice a politician gets sometimes comes from his most ferocious opponents. Call me names, call me whatever you will, and I will still call upon democracy to defend your right to do so,” he said.