President Bola Tinubu responded to opposition figures on Tuesday, urging them to accept the outcome of their failures and stop blaming him for the inability to manage their party affairs competently.
He pointed out that the shifting of political affiliations among politicians was not exclusive to Nigeria, stating that in many advanced democracies, well-known politicians, statesmen, and women have frequently changed parties.
Tinubu also addressed accusations claiming his administration was veering towards authoritarianism, stating that these allegations were unfounded and exaggerated. He further clarified that there was no threat to the country’s democracy.
In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed confusion over why the defection of key figures like Mallam Nasir el-Rufai from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) should be celebrated, while the departure of opposition party members was being condemned.
The statement, titled “Democracy Strong and Alive in Nigeria, Ignore Alarmists,” read: “We have seen alarming claims from disgruntled opposition figures, some partisan human rights advocates, and self-appointed defenders of democracy about the recent defections of prominent opposition members to the ruling APC.”
He continued, “The political shift caused by Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno’s open support for President Tinubu, as well as the defections of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former PDP vice-presidential candidate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and other key political figures from Delta and Rivers States, undoubtedly threw the opposition into turmoil.”
The statement acknowledged the opposition’s frustration over the collapse of their anticipated coalition, which had failed to gain traction. However, the president found it troubling that they resorted to false claims about his administration attempting to create a one-party state. He stressed that contrary to the circulating propaganda, democracy in Nigeria remained strong, and the accusations of a drift towards authoritarianism were baseless.
“No policy, official action, or directive from the presidency seeks to dismantle democracy or weaken opposition parties,” the statement emphasized.
Tinubu further criticized claims of bribery, blackmail, and misuse of state institutions, stating these accusations came from politicians who had failed in their duties as the opposition and were simply looking for scapegoats.
“The opposition cannot blame President Tinubu and the APC for their own organizational failures, lack of discipline, and incompetence in managing their affairs. It is not President Tinubu’s responsibility to organize or strengthen opposition parties,” he stated.
Tinubu also expressed concern over the hypocrisy of those who celebrated the defection of El-Rufai to the SDP and the formation of a regional coalition to challenge his leadership, while simultaneously accusing him of moving towards a one-party state and authoritarianism. “It is curious that those who supported the creation of an anti-Tinubu coalition along dangerous regional lines before the official start of party politics are now quick to allege bribery and coercion when political figures switch affiliations,” he noted.
He reinforced that freedom of association, speech, and choice are essential elements of democracy. “If politicians and citizens are not free to join any political party or association, or express their views openly, then democracy itself is at risk,” Tinubu said.
The president encouraged those opposing his administration to continue issuing critiques without fear, highlighting the thriving democratic nature of Nigeria. “It is the height of hypocrisy for opposition figures and their allies in the so-called human rights movement to want the ruling party to disband to gain electoral advantage, yet cry foul when such a wish is not fulfilled,” he added.
He argued that democracy was not under threat just because politicians exercised their right to associate freely. Nigerians joining the APC and supporting Tinubu were doing so based on their belief that the ongoing reforms would benefit both the present and future generations.
“It is a disservice to democracy itself for defenders of democracy to delegitimize the political choices of Nigerians who support the government, while upholding the opposition’s attempts to form an anti-Tinubu coalition,” the statement concluded.
Under President Tinubu’s leadership, the statement assured, Nigeria’s democracy would remain robust, and the multiparty system would continue to thrive without hindrance.
Tinubu’s administration remains committed to strengthening the democratic foundations upon which Nigeria’s Fourth Republic stands since 1999. “Politicians changing parties is neither new nor unique to Nigeria. In more established democracies, we see examples of politicians, statesmen, and women frequently switching affiliations,” the statement explained.
The statement also commended President Tinubu and the APC’s leadership under Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje for making the ruling party appealing to all Nigerians willing to participate in the democratic process. “President Tinubu is a committed democrat who believes in multiparty democracy. His efforts in galvanizing opposition platforms to defeat an incumbent president and ruling party demonstrate his credibility as a staunch advocate for multiparty democracy,” it concluded.
The statement urged Nigerians to support the administration in safeguarding democracy by respecting the choices of the people and ignoring alarmists who base their arguments on fiction.
