President Bola Tinubu has justified the ongoing mass defection of high-profile opposition figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying they are bailing out of a sinking ship.
Speaking on Thursday at the Presidential Villa during the APC national summit, Tinubu shrugged off opposition’s complaints about the APC plotting a one-party system.
“You cannot blame people for their choice of association. It is only one party that is ruling.
“For those still contemplating bailing out of their ship, the country is yours; hold on to it. For those talking about a one-party system. It is one party ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians. You don’t blame people bailing out of a sinking 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,” Tinubu said.
Continuing, the president said nobody can force anyone to stay where they don’t want, stressing further that the APC is ready to receive more opposition figures who are willing to join the ruling party.
Addressing the gathering of APC leaders, Tinubu 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.”
Governors elected on the platform of the party and APC members in the two chambers of the National Assembly endorsed President Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
