President Bola Tinubu has dismissed allegations that his administration is pushing Nigeria toward a one-party state; he insisted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is open to all Nigerians, including members of opposition parties. This was made known by President Tinubu during his speech at the special joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday to mark Democracy Day.
He said, "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.
“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
“You are all welcome to the progressive fold. Nobody should close the door. 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.
“I will not say, try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you to do so, either."
He hailed the sacrifices of the country’s pro-democracy heroes, especially late Chief Moshood Abiola, whose June 12, 1993 presidential victory was annulled by the then military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, applauding his predecessor President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring June 12 as Democracy Day and also conferring national honor on the late Abiola.
President Tinubu further said, “We must celebrate the courage of Kudirat Abiola and Pa Alfred Rewane, both of whom were murdered by agents of military repression. We remember the many civil rights activists, journalists, and politicians who were imprisoned, exiled, tossed aside, and beaten.”