By Justin Okoroegwu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has has used the opportunity of the his Democracy Day Anniversary broadcast to put to bed the terrible rumour that the APC is intent on a one-party state. He says those who ring the alarm can be assured their alarm may be as a result of their panic, which rings in error.
According to him, “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 promised.
He, however said “we cannot blame anybody
seeking to bail out of a sinking ship even without a life jacket.”
He called on proponents of those erroneous postulations to look at his political history to understand he would be the last person to advocate such
a scheme.
“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,” the President revealed.
Tinubu also called on Nigerians to remember those years when in their numbers and false grandeur, they boasted of ruling, not
governing, Nigeria for the next half century or more. And then he asked: “Where are they now?”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu bemoaned the days he stood alone, when his allies had been induced into defeat. He said his
adversaries held all the cards that mortal man could carry. And hinted that 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,” Tinubu promised.
He therefore explained that: “The failed effort to create a one-party state placed progressive political forces on a trajectory to form the APC. And said: “It put me on the trajectory which has brought me before you today. And remembering the errors of the past mistakes the President promised: “I dare not do such a favour to any political adversary by repeating the same mistake of political overreach.
Going further the President emphasized that a one-party state is not in the offing. Nor should it ever be.
He, however, reiterated that APC would be guilty of political malpractice if they closed the door on those from other parties who now seek to join the APC and sincerely welcome the
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.
Tinubu advised political parties fearful of members leaving to be better served by
examining their internal processes and affairs rather than fearfully conjuring up demons that do not exist
He urged them to try their best to put their
house in order since he will not help them to do so. He clearly stated that as a party faithful it would indeed be a pleasure to witness
other parties in such disarray.
He then pleaded for understanding and acceptance of the diversity and number of political parties just as Nigerians welcome and embrace the diversity of the country’s population. He said: “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.
In this 2025 Democracy Day broadcast, the President concluded by saying that “One area in which democracy calls us to work together, whether in the legislative or executive branch, whether in this or other political parties, is
that of economic and social development.
