One-Party State: More defections imminent as he claims not forcing anyone to join APC
Ahead of 2027 General Elections, yesterday, on Thursday, Tinubu reveals he expects more defectors into the ruling party.
Speaking yesterday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria said he was expecting more politicians from other parties to join the ruling party−the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
President Tinubu, who basked in the party and administration’s achievement, noted that more defections of politicians are imminent.
He said he did not expect politicians in other parties to remain in there as he described them as “a sinking ship without a life jacket.”
Defection Is A Part of The Game
President, whose statement was released through his spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, stated at the APC Renewed Hope Agenda Summit, held at the State House Conference Centre yesterday.
Present at the meeting: the party leaders, the National Committee, the Leadership of the National Assembly and the Progressives Governors’ Forum, which contains 22 governors from the ruling party, they all endorsed the president’s reelection bid.
According to the statement, the president said that his administration is focused on economic reforms which would yield long-term gains, and it has started to receive positive remarks locally and internationally after reviews.
“A one-party system is not suitable for democracy. We are one party ruling and carrying on with the aspirations of Nigerians.
“You don’t expect people to remain in a sinking ship without a life jacket. I am happy with what we have accomplished and expecting more people to come; that’s the game,” Tinubu was quoted.
Tinubu also noted that the citizenry have their constitutional right, which guarantees freedom of association of any individual.
“I thank every one of you. I am thoroughly inspired. We are just halfway through the journey that started 24 months ago,” he said.
President Tinubu appreciated the members of the Federal Executive Council for boldly embarking on the vision of a greater Nigeria and the party leadership and National Assembly for supporting him.
“Together, we pledged to confront Nigeria’s challenges head-on by rebuilding the trust, fostering prosperity and restoring our nation’s economic quest.
“Today, I am proud to affirm that our economic reforms are working. Nothing good comes easy in life. All of you have been through life, and sometimes, only hard decisions can make things easy in the future.
“We couldn’t just afford to spend the future of our children and unborn babies.
“Through our Renewed Hope Agenda, our administration pledged to tackle economic instability, improve security nationwide, reduce corruption, reform governance, and lift our people out of poverty.
“How fast could you have rebuilt this country? If you allow the arbitrage in the exchange rate to continue, that is the grandfather of corruption. You could see EFCC recover over seven hundred and fifty-something houses from one person,” he said.
Tinubu disclosed that the implementation of the economic reforms were difficult decisions but assured the people of Nigeria that they were prerequisite for growth and development of the country.
“Yes, we encountered challenges when we assumed office in May 2023, but we have made progress by implementing difficult, long overdue but necessary economic reforms.
“We have eliminated the arbitrage-driven multiple foreign exchanges, and our far-reaching tax reforms are coming.
“Because of the reforms, our country now attracts foreign direct investments that will ultimately create jobs and produce much-needed goods and services that will significantly improve the standard of living of our people,” he said.
According to his remark, the chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum and incumbent Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, stated that the president had created inspiring and visionary leadership and should be supported in his reelection bid.
One-Party State: More Defections Imminent – Tinubu
He further led a motion, throwing his weight behind the President and endorsing him for the second term.
Also in attendance, the executive Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, who also supported the president’s second-term bid.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, also commended the President on his purposeful, meaningful and inclusive leadership.
The leaders of the National Assemble noted that they had also endorsed the President for a second term and backed the motion to endorse him.
An APC chieftain, Abdullahi Ganduje, who captained the NWC members endorse President bola Tinubu for a second term, revealed that Tinubu was the root candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
“I urge all members to reject internal sabotage. Engage communities, listen to citizens, and build a political structure beyond elections,” the former Kano governor added.
Ganduje also implored other members to re-season their commitment to the principles which united and inspired the formation of the party.
“Let us rally behind President Bola Tinubu, support our policies, and deliver the Renewed Hope Nigerians rightfully deserve,” he stated.
We Have Forced No One To Join Our Party – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has hit back at those claims that he is forcefully pushing Nigeria towards a one-party system state, noting that people cannot be blamed for their choice of association.
In Tinubu’s statement during the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja−the Federal capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria.
He said: “it is only one party that is ruling”.
“For those still contemplating bale out of their ship, the country is yours, hold on to it. For those talking about one party system. It is one party ruling and driving the aspiration of Nigeria.
“You don’t blame a people balling out of a shrinking ship when they have no life jackets.
“I am glad of what we have and I am expecting more. That is the game. We are in a constitutional democracy.
He noted that no one can force others to stay where they do not want, stressing that the ruling party (APC) is on the verge of receiving more defectors, who are on their way to join the party.
He said: “they think this political party is a failure, but with your perseverance, we never gave up. We are the Progressives. We will soldier on. Continue to work hard… I listen to you, not them.
“We have an opportunity to make Africa great, but I urge you to stay the course. To those I cannot offer political positions, be patient, you will be happy to belong to this party.”
One-Party State: More Defections Imminent – Tinubu
