Tinubu Denies Claims of Weakening Opposition, Urges Harmony

Allegations that the ruling All Progressives Congress is orchestrating defections from opposition parties have been dismissed, with assurances that no coercion or pressure has been applied to politicians to abandon their platforms.

Speaking on Wednesday during an interfaith Iftar with senators at the Presidential Villa, the President addressed claims that his administration is attempting to weaken opposition parties.

He acknowledged that critics are entitled to their opinions but firmly rejected any accusations of wrongdoing.

Noting the choices of politicians who opted to defect, he compared their decisions to leaving a “sinking ship,” while highlighting terrorism and banditry as major national challenges that contribute to political tensions.

“Critics must talk. When they accused me of killing the opposition, but I didn’t have a gun. I could have given myself a licence when I have the authority.

“But I can’t blame anybody for jumping out of a sinking ship if they did. What we have faced in the challenging period of this country, the terrorism and banditry, is causing us havoc.

The President urged political leaders to prioritise unity in line with the vision of Nigeria’s founding fathers, stressing that constitutional democracy is meant to foster cooperation rather than conflict. “And we should pull together, unite in a way that our forefathers contemplated to bring about a constitutional democracy and pull us together. They didn’t say we should fight. It’s a good thing that we are working in harmony.”

He concluded by calling on all political actors to focus on the nation’s collective progress rather than personal ambitions, emphasizing that true leadership involves collaboration and the pursuit of solutions to the country’s pressing challenges.