NIGERIA: Shocks as Tinubu publicly says he enjoys seeing opposition in disarray
*"Let him swear by Holy Qur'an he has no hand in crisis rocking opposition parties"
By KEMI KASUMU
Watchers of events as they unfold in Nigeria were left in shock on Thursday June 12, 2025, as President of the country, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said he takes pleasure in seeing opposition parties in disarray and has no plans to help them organise themselves.
Tinubu, an acclaimed pro-democracy fighter, had said, “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.
“For me, I would say try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you do so. It is, indeed, a pleasure to witness you in such disarray.”
The president stated this while delivering what he termed a State of the Nation address at a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja, held to commemorate Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Day Anniversary.
However, among comments trailing the statement coming from the president is where a concerned Nigerian asked him to swear by the Holy Qur’an that he has no hand in the crisis rocking the opposition parties, which he is now mocking them over.
Amid recent defections into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu also dismissed claims that his administration is pushing Nigeria towards becoming a one-party state.
He said, “A one-party state is not in the offing. Nor should it ever be. That said, we would be guilty of political malpractice if we closed the door on those from other parties who now seek to join the APC and I sincerely welcome our party’s newest members from Delta and Akwa Ibom States led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Pastor Umo Eno and other members of this National Assembly.”
“We must welcome and accept the diversity and number of political parties just as we welcome and embrace the diversity of our population. Our efforts must never be to eliminate political competition but to make that competition salutary to the national well-being by working across the political aisle whenever possible.”
The President also announced national honours for dozens of Nigerians, including the late Kudirat Abiola, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Ken Saro-Wiwa, among others.
“I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State,” the President said.
