President Bola Tinubu has responded to opposition parties, urging them to take responsibility for their own failures rather than blaming him for their inability to manage their affairs. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President expressed his surprise at the double standard being applied to political defections.
Tinubu questioned why the defection of former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was celebrated, while the defection of opposition members to the APC is met with criticism. The statement, titled “Democracy Strong and Alive in Nigeria, Ignore Alarmists,” responded to claims by opposition figures and human rights advocates who voiced concerns over recent political shifts.
“We have read the alarming claims of disgruntled opposition figures, some partisan human rights crusaders, and self-appointed defenders of democracy over recent defections from opposition parties to the ruling APC,” the statement read. It highlighted key political figures, such as Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who have publicly expressed support for President Tinubu, as well as the defection of prominent political actors in Delta and Rivers States. Tinubu’s spokesperson acknowledged that the defections had left the opposition disoriented and upset.
The statement continued by rejecting accusations that the administration is pushing Nigeria toward a one-party state. It asserted that claims of authoritarianism under Tinubu’s government are baseless, emphasizing that democracy in Nigeria remains strong. “No policy, official action, or directive from the Presidency seeks to dismantle democracy or weaken opposition parties,” it clarified, accusing opposition politicians of using unfounded allegations of bribery, blackmail, and coercion as scapegoats.
The statement also addressed the criticism of Tinubu’s handling of opposition parties, pointing out that it is not the President’s responsibility to organize or strengthen opposition parties. “It is curious that those who celebrated Mallam Nasir el-Rufai’s defection to the SDP are now lamenting Nigeria’s so-called drift toward a one-party state,” the statement noted.
Furthermore, the statement reinforced the democratic values of freedom of association, speech, and choice, insisting that politicians and citizens should be free to join any party or express their views without fear of retribution. “When politicians and citizens cannot freely join any association or political party of their choice, democracy is imperiled,” it stressed.
The statement concluded by affirming President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and praised the APC’s efforts under Tinubu’s leadership for making the party more attractive to Nigerians. “Politicians changing party affiliation is not new or unique to Nigeria,” it said, pointing to examples from more established democracies. It urged Nigerians to respect each other’s political choices and ignore alarmists spreading baseless narratives.
In closing, the statement reassured the public that democracy in Nigeria remains robust, with the administration committed to safeguarding the democratic values that have underpinned the Fourth Republic since 1999.
