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Dismisses Claims of Orchestrating One-Party System
- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has fired back at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties over claim of orchestrating a one-party system.
Speaking at the joint session of the National Assembly in commemoration of the June 12 Democracy Day, Tinubu dismissed what he described as a terrible rumor about the All Progressive Congress-led (APC) administration driving the country towards a totalitarian system of government.
Tinubu reflected on his political journey and advocacy for democratic practise while maintaining that the notion of a one-party state is not good for Nigeria.
“I plead for your indulgence so that I may put a terrible rumour to bed.
“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.
“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.
“Look at my political history. I 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. In all their numbers and false grandeur, they boasted of ruling, not governing, Nigeria for the next half century or more. Where are they now?
“Yet, I stood alone. My allies had been induced into defeat. My adversaries held all the cards that mortal man could carry. 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 said.
While reiterating his stand against one-party state, the President however maintained that the APC’s door will remain open to new members as he formally welcomed Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and other stakeholders of his administration as well the new members from Akwa-Ibom led by the state governor, Umo Eno.
Tinubu however charged the opposition parties to put their house in order, stressing that he will not interfere in their affairs as he expressed delight in the crisis rocking the opposition parties.
“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.
“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. For me, I would say try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you do so. It is, indeed, a pleasure to witness you in such disarray.” The President said.
He further harped on the need to embrace the diversity and number of political parties while noting that political competition must not be eliminated.
“We must welcome and accept the diversity and number of political parties just as we welcome and embrace the diversity of our population. 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.
“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.” He added.