Tinubu mocks opposition parties, says ‘it’s a pleasure to see you in disarray’

President Bola Tinubu has mocked opposition parties over their internal crisis.

The president took the swipe at the opposition parties on Thursday while delivering his Democracy Day address at the joint sitting of the national assembly.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) are grappling with internal upheavals, leading to massive defections of members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The parties accused the APC of stoking internal divisions among them, alleging that the ruling party was plotting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Tinubu said that instead of putting their houses in order, the parties are shifting blame to the APC for their internal crises.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

‘I’M NOT AN ADVOCATE OF ONE-PARTY STATE’

Tinubu also dismissed the one-party state narrative, pledging support for political plurality.

“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,” he 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.

“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.

“The failed effort to create a one-party state placed progressive political forces on a trajectory to form the APC. It put me on the trajectory which has brought me before you today.

“I dare not do such a favour to any political adversary by repeating the same mistake of political overreach. A one-party state is not in the offing. Nor should it ever be.

“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.

“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.

Tinubu added that the APC would be “guilty of political malpractice” if it closes the door on those seeking to join the party.