President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that opposition political parties afraid of their members leaving them for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), may be better served by examining their internal processes and affairs rather than fearfully conjuring up demons that do not exist.
This was as Tinubu, who spoke against the backdrop of defections to the APC, dismissed claims that his administration was pushing Nigeria towards becoming a one-party state.
He however, said that he derives joy seeing opposition parties in disarray, stressing that he has no plans whatsoever to help them organise themselves.
Tinubu, who stated these on Thursday, June 12, 2025, while addressing the Joint Session of the National Assembly in Abuja as part of the commemoration of Democracy Day, said that the APC would be guilty of political malpractice if it closed the door on those from other parties who now seek to join the ruling Party.
In the words of Tinubu; “As a nation, we must welcome and accept the diversity and number of political parties, just as we welcome and embrace the diversity of our population.
“A one-party state is not in the offing. Nor should it ever be. 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.
“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.
“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.
“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,” Tinubu stated.
