President Bola Tinubu has finally come out to defend speculations that his party, the All Progressives Congress, is planning to turn the country into a one party state insisting that as a democrat he will never support any move that would undermine democracy in the country
The president described APC as a party rescuing those who are drowning in a sinking ship, saying it will amount to political malpractice for the All Progressives Congress to refuse to open its doors to people willing to join the party.
The President says he would neither dictate how political parties should resolve their internal party issues nor help them to rebuild their various platforms, announcing that “It’s a pleasure to witness them in such a disarray.”
Responding to criticisms by his opponents, President Tinubu says his presidency was ordained by God and pledged to serve justly and transparently, asking members of the National Assembly to do same
Reflecting on Nigeria’s 26 years of unbroken democracy and the celebration of June 12 as democracy day, President Tinubu commended former President Muhammadu Buhari for taking the bold step to recognise Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola as the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Tinubu also acknowledged the sacrifices of the National Assembly for protecting democracy in the country, citing the 2006 resistance of lawmakers to the third term bid, the introduction of doctrine of necessity that paved way for the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan, and the rejection of Abacha’s military junta’s move to dissolve the National Assembly.
The president highlighted the sacrifices of June 12 martyrs who were killed, maimed, tortured by military men during the struggle, explaining that the struggle was never the province of any one group but a coming together of people from all parts of the country for a united cause, confering them with post humous national honours.
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
