President Bola Ahmed Tinubu didn’t hold back during Thursday’s Democracy Day address to a joint session of the National Assembly, taking pointed jabs at the internal turmoil currently affecting opposition parties.
Welcoming new defectors into the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu mocked the state of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), stating, “You are all welcome to the progressive fold. Nobody should close the door. It is indeed a pleasure to witness you in such a disarray.”
Referring to the recent defections rocking the opposition, Tinubu dismissed their complaints, suggesting they should look inward. “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,” he said.
With a smirk, he added, “For me, I will not say, try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you to do so, either.”
His remarks were met with cheers from APC lawmakers, while opposition members sat in visible discomfort. Tinubu’s comments come amid deepening divisions in both PDP and LP, as key figures continue to defect or express discontent.
Though Tinubu has previously underscored the value of a credible opposition in a healthy democracy, his latest remarks offered no comfort to political rivals currently grappling with instability.
