President Bola Tinubu has addressed growing concerns over Nigeria’s political party system and governance, asserting that the ruling All Progressives Congress is poised to sweeping the opposition clean.
Speaking at the APC National Summit on Thursday, Tinubu responded to critics wary of the party’s expanding influence following a series of high-profile defections from opposition parties.
“I just need to tell those ones saying one-party system is no good, it’s one party ruling and driving the aspiration of Nigerians,” Tinubu stated. “Where do they stand? You don’t blame a people bailing out of a sinking ship when they have no lifejacket. I’m glad of what we have and I’m expecting more to come, that’s the game.”
He further emphasized, “We’re in a constitutional democracy, don’t forget the freedom of movement and the freedom of association, it is not a criminally punishable…welcome to the progressives. Sweep them clean.”
The President’s remarks come in the wake of significant political shifts, notably in Delta State, where Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, along with 22 state lawmakers, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC.
This move effectively transformed the Delta State House of Assembly into a one-party legislature, with all members now affiliated with the APC. Similarly, six PDP members from Delta in the House of Representatives recently joined the ruling party, citing internal crises within the PDP as a motivating factor.
These developments have raised alarms among political observers and opposition figures. Former President Goodluck Jonathan warned against the covert establishment of a one-party system, emphasizing that such a move could destabilize Nigeria’s fragile democracy. He noted that while some countries operate under a one-party system, Nigeria’s complex ethnic, religious, and political landscape necessitates a more inclusive political framework.
Critics argue that the wave of defections is less about ideological alignment and more about political survival, with allegations of coercion and the use of state apparatus to pressure opposition members into switching allegiance. Concerns have been voiced about the potential erosion of democratic principles and the marginalization of dissenting voices.
In response, the presidency has dismissed these concerns, asserting that democracy in Nigeria remains robust. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated that the APC’s growing appeal is a testament to its effective governance and that the party’s expansion is a natural outcome of a functioning democracy where individuals are free to associate with parties of their choice.
