President Bola Tinubu has firmly dismissed speculations that his administration has an agenda of implementing a one-party state in Nigeria, despite entreaties to opposition politicians by his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The President, while addressing a joint session of the National Assembly on June 12, Nigeria’s democracy day, maintained that while he has no agenda of implementing a one-party state in Nigeria, the APC remains a platform open to all Nigerians.
Tinubu also stressed that the APC is not afraid of internal or external competition and will continue to welcome defectors from other political parties.
He asserted: “You are all welcome to the progressive fold. Nobody should close the door. 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.
“I will not say, try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you to do so, either.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the one-party state agenda narrative gained traction recently due to the defection of opposition members to the APC.
Recall that recently, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.
Several lawmakers in the National Assembly have also dumped their respective parties for the APC.
Critics, particularly the PDP, pointed to these defections as evidence of a calculated strategy to erode political pluralism.
They alleged the APC is using state machinery, including anti-graft agencies like the EFCC, to coerce opposition members into compliance.
