Tinubu reacts to Oborevwori, Okowa’s defection to APC
President Bola Tinubu has reacted to the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, from People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oborevwori defected to the APC alongside former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and other PDP stakeholders.
The defection has sparked discussion in political circles with many accusing President Tinubu of gradually turning Nigeria into a one-party state.
Reacting, President Tinubu rejected the accusations, declaring that the political shifts occurring are a natural part of democratic processes.
Tinubu in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga on Sunday, noted that while political realignments may cause discomfort for the opposition, the claims of authoritarianism are baseless.
He pointed out that no actions taken by his administration are aimed at suppressing democracy or promoting a one-party system.
Instead, the government remains focused on addressing the country’s pressing economic challenges.
The president also clarified that the responsibility for managing the opposition lies with the opposition parties themselves, not the APC or the presidency.
He dismissed reports that the defections were the result of coercion, bribery, or manipulation, stating that these claims lacked evidence and were a reflection of the opposition’s own struggles.
President Tinubu declared that Nigeria’s democracy is strong, with the right to freely join any political party being a cornerstone of democratic ideals.
He called on Nigerians to respect each other’s political choices and reject narratives designed to undermine the nation’s democratic foundations.
The president reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that democracy remains robust in Nigeria, with space for all political parties to participate in the democratic process.
