Breaking: Tinubu Finally Reacts to Atiku, Peter Obi's Allegation

• President Bola Tinubu has commented on the recent allegation by some opposition politicians that he was working to turn Nigeria into a one-party state
• Speaking at the APC national summit in Abuja on May 22, he maintained that people were joining his party because they were driving the aspirations of the people
• Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party had accused Tinubu of causing an opposition party crisis to stage his plan

FCT, Abuja - President Bola Tinubu has dismissed the allegations that his administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are working to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, following the wave of defection from the opposition parties.

The president commented while speaking at the APC national summit at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Thursday, May 22. He addressed the dominance of the ruling APC after recently welcoming prominent defectors from the opposition.

Atiku, Obi accuse Tinubu of one-party plan

Tinubu's comment followed the criticism from opposition leaders, including the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who doubled as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, and his counterpart in the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

Atiku and Obi have accused the Nigerian President of causing the crisis in the PDP, Labour Party and other opposition parties to make the country a one-party state and have a smooth path for his re-election in the 2027 presidential poll.

The allegations stemmed from the wave of defection that has rocked the PDP and the Labour Party recently. Governor Alex Otti, the only LP governor, has been tactically defending Tinubu's administration.

PDP governor who joined APC

On the PDP, the party has lost Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the APC, while his counterpart in Akwa Ibom has reportedly disclosed his plan to join the ruling party, warning members of his cabinet to resign if they were not APC supporters.

Aside from the governors, several senators and House of Representatives members, including top opposition figures in other opposition states, have either commended President Tinubu's administration or endorsed his second term bid.

Speaking at the party event on Thursday, Tinubu explained that the APC was not turning Nigeria into a one-party state, but that the ruling party is only making a difference.

The president noted that people should not be condemned for dumping a sinking ship. His statement, shared on social media, reads in part:

“Before I speak, I just need to tell those who say a one-party system is not good. It’s one party ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians. Where do they stand? You don’t blame people bailing out of a sinking ship when there’s no life jacket.”

The full statement on behalf of the President is below:

Governor Eno speaks on rumoured APC defection

Legit.ng earlier reported that Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno has reacted to reports of dumping the PDP and defecting to the APC.

Speaking at a church in Lagos state, Governor Eno denied the claims but maintained that service to the people was his priority.

Eno referenced wisdom from the sons of Issachar in the Bible and urged the people to understand political times and seasons well.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.