President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took aim at Nigeria’s opposition parties during his Democracy Day address at the National Assembly on Thursday, openly reveling in the internal crises rocking the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party.
Speaking at a joint session of lawmakers, Tinubu welcomed defectors from opposition ranks to the ruling All Progressives Congress while taunting his political rivals about their organizational struggles.
“You are all welcome to the progressive fold. Nobody should close the door,” Tinubu declared, before adding with evident satisfaction: “It is indeed a pleasure to witness you in such a disarray.”
The president’s barbed comments came amid reports of mass defections and leadership crises in both major opposition parties. Rather than offering sympathy, Tinubu suggested the parties should look inward to address their problems.
“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 advised.
In a particularly cutting remark that drew laughter from APC lawmakers, the president added: “For me, I will not say, try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you to do so, either.”
The session witnessed starkly divided reactions – with cheers from the ruling party’s benches and visible discomfort among opposition legislators. Tinubu’s comments mark a departure from his previous calls for strong opposition, instead capitalizing on the PDP and LP’s current vulnerabilities.
