By Kingston Magare 12-6-2025
President Bola Tinubu said he would never be an advocate of a one-party rule in Nigeria as politicians continue to jump ships and head for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Tinubu who was addressing a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja Thursday to mark the June 12 Democracy Day, said there was no need for Nigerians to panic about the APC overshadowing all the political parties, adding that it was not a healthy development for the political life for the country.
“To those who ring the alarm that the APC is intent on a one-party state, I offer you a most personal promise. While your alarm may be as a result of your panic, it rings in error,” Tinubu said.
“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. Equally, my friends, we cannot blame anybody seeking to bail out of a sinking ship even without a life jacket.
“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 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.”
He added that politicians must protect Nigeria dream of viable political and economic atmosphere.
“We must be vigilant in expanding the political space. We must always value dialogue over dictatorship, persuasion over suppression and rights over might. Be tolerant and broad-minded in your legislative action regarding speech and civil liberties.
” Do not be afraid to hear an unkind word spoken against you. Some of the best advice a politician gets sometimes comes from his most ferocious opponents. We dare not seek silence because the imposed silence of repressed voices breeds chaos and ill will, not the harmonics of democracy in the long term.”