By Mercy Gadia Adi
President Bola Tinubu has denied allegations that his administration is planning to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, welcoming members from other political parties to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at a special joint session of the National Assembly to mark Democracy Day, Tinubu said, “You are all welcome to the progressive fold. Nobody should close the door.”
He advised political parties fearful of members leaving to examine their internal processes and affairs rather than conjuring up non-existent demons. “I will not say, try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you to do so, either,” Tinubu added.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, Tinubu said, “I felt a sense of collective accomplishment when I realised how far we had come as a nation. Democracy has risen from the ashes of military rule to reclaim its rightful place as the only acceptable form of governance for our resilient and beloved people.”
The President paid tribute to the late Chief Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, and praised former President Muhammadu Buhari for recognising Abiola and declaring June 12 as Democracy Day. “Let me pay tribute to my predecessor… for reaching back into history to rectify a national misdeed,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu also honoured the sacrifices of pro-democracy activists who were killed, exiled, or jailed. “We must celebrate the courage of Kudirat Abiola and Pa Alfred Rewane, both of whom were murdered by agents of military repression,” he said.
The President urged continued cooperation between the executive and the legislature, saying, “While we may not always agree, we must forge a way to work together—because this is what democracy demands of us.”