President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed allegations that his administration is attempting to transform Nigeria into a one-party state.
He affirmed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) remains inclusive and open to members from other political backgrounds.
Speaking during a special joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday, held to commemorate Democracy Day, Tinubu addressed concerns over political pluralism.
“You are all welcome to the progressive fold. Nobody should close the door,” Tinubu told lawmakers during his address.
“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.”
Directly confronting suggestions of political overreach or dominance, he added, “I will not say, ‘Try your best to put your house in order.’ I will not help you to do so, either.”
The president took the opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic progress since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
“I felt a sense of collective accomplishment when I realised how far we had come as a nation,” he said.
“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.”
In his speech, Tinubu paid tribute to late Chief Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election. He also commended former President Muhammadu Buhari for recognising Abiola and designating June 12 as Democracy Day.
“Let me pay tribute to my predecessor… for reaching back into history to rectify a national misdeed,” Tinubu said.
He further acknowledged the sacrifices made by pro-democracy figures who suffered under military regimes.
“We must celebrate the courage of Kudirat Abiola and Pa Alfred Rewane, both of whom were murdered by agents of military repression,” he said.
“We remember the many civil rights activists, journalists, and politicians who were imprisoned, exiled, tossed aside, and beaten.”
Emphasising the need for collaboration between the legislative and executive arms of government, the president concluded with a call for unity: “While we may not always agree, we must forge a way to work together—because this is what democracy demands of us.”
