President Bola Tinubu has responded to accusations that his administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are working toward establishing a one-party state in Nigeria. The criticisms came amid a wave of defections from opposition parties, prompting concerns about political dominance.
According to report, Tinubu made his remarks during the APC national summit held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on May 22, 2025. The president addressed recent defections from opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, which have seen prominent figures joining the APC.
Opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, alleged that these defections were part of a deliberate effort to weaken opposition forces and secure Tinubu’s path to re-election in 2027.
In response, President Tinubu dismissed these claims, stating:
“You don’t blame people bailing out of a sinking ship when there’s no life jacket.”
He explained that the APC is not attempting to monopolize power but is instead a party driving positive change for Nigerians. Tinubu emphasized that individuals are free to leave parties that are failing to meet their expectations.
The recent defections include key figures like Governor Sheriff Oborevwori from the PDP and others from opposition states, with several members publicly endorsing Tinubu’s administration and his bid for a second term.
This political shift has stirred debate across Nigeria’s political scene as parties prepare for the 2027 presidential elections.
Article updated 4 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
