President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed claims that he is responsible for defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that he neither coerced nor forced anyone to leave their political platforms.
He made this known on Wednesday night during an interfaith breaking of the fast with members of the Senate at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu said critics were entitled to their views but insisted he had no hand in weakening the opposition.
He maintained that he did not use force or abuse his authority against any political group.
According to him, individuals who chose to defect did so on their own, likening their action to leaving a sinking ship.
The President stressed the need for unity, noting that Nigeria is facing serious security challenges, including terrorism and banditry.
He said the country must come together in line with the vision of its founding fathers to strengthen constitutional democracy rather than engage in political conflict.
Critics must talk. When they accused me of killing the opposition, but I didn’t have a gun. I could have given myself a licence when I have the authority.
“But I can’t blame anybody for jumping out of a sinking ship if they did. What we have faced in the challenging period of this country, the terrorism and banditry, is causing us havoc. And we should pull together, unite in a way that our forefathers contemplated to bring about a constitutional democracy and pull us together. They didn’t say we should fight. It’s a good thing that we are working in harmony.”
Tinubu also called on the National Assembly to commence the process of amending the Constitution to allow for the establishment of state police as part of efforts to address the nation’s security crisis.
The President described Nigeria as extremely challenged by terrorism, banditry and insurgency, warning that urgent constitutional reforms were necessary to secure forests from criminal elements and protect children from fear.
He urged lawmakers to begin considering ways to amend the Constitution to incorporate state police in order to strengthen security across the country.
