Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that President Bola Tinubu is keen on having a strong and effective opposition in Nigeria, expressing disappointment over the internal crises plaguing major opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP).
Speaking on Wednesday, June 25, during the commissioning of the newly completed Interchange Bridge on Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way) over the Outer Northern Expressway (Murtala Mohammed Expressway) in Abuja, Akpabio, who represented the President at the event, urged the opposition to put their houses in order.
The event was part of activities marking President Tinubu’s second year in office.
Akpabio referenced recent comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who criticised the PDP leadership for involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in its ongoing internal dispute over the position of National Secretary.
“President Tinubu is interested in seeing a vibrant opposition. It saddens him to see the opposition in such disarray,” Akpabio said. “You got yourselves into this confusion—try and get out of it quickly. A healthy democracy requires a strong opposition.”
He also drew attention to the leadership tussles within the Labour Party, revealing that he had received a letter from the party earlier in the day that reflected its own internal instability.
“It’s not just the PDP. The Labour Party is also facing serious internal challenges. People who can’t manage a small party are trying to manage a country,” he said pointedly.
Akpabio further announced the defection of Senator Neda Imasuen from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC), welcoming him to the ruling party.
“I’m not tired; I’m happy to receive him. Our doors are always open in the APC. Congratulations to Imasuen, who has left the fractured Labour Party to join us,” Akpabio stated.
