Tinubu Committed to Strong Democracy, Desires Vibrant Opposition Says Akpabio

By Sofiat Adenekan

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, says President Bola Tinubu is committed to fostering a strong democratic environment, which includes a vibrant and effective opposition.

Akpabio made this remark during the inauguration of the Arterial Road N20 Interchange Bridges in Abuja on Wednesday .

Speaking on the recent internal challenges within the two main opposition parties—the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP)—Akpabio said President Tinubu is disheartened by the current state of disunity and urged the parties to address their internal issues promptly.

“However you people got yourself into this confusion, try and get yourself out of it very quickly. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is interested in seeing a vibrant opposition. As a true democrat, he is saddened to see the opposition in disarray,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President referenced the ongoing leadership crisis in the PDP, particularly over the position of National Secretary, and the recent defection of Senator Neda Imasuen from the Labour Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Just before I came here to represent him [Tinubu], I received and read a letter from the Labour Party. So it’s not only PDP that is in disarray. Even the Labour Party is cracked.

And people who are strong members of the Labour Party are angling to run Nigeria when they cannot put a small political party like that in order,” he added.

Akpabio also noted that he was pleased to welcome new defectors into the APC, highlighting the open-door policy of the ruling party.

“Senator Neda Imasuen just decamped this afternoon from the Labour Party and moved from the left-hand side of the Senate to the right-hand side. I’m not tired. I’m happy to receive them because our doors are open in the All Progressive Congress,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, criticized the PDP leadership for seeking the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) directive before implementing a Supreme Court judgment affirming Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.

Wike, a former PDP governor and key figure in the party, accused acting National Chairman Umar Damagum of misinterpreting the law and undermining the authority of the Supreme Court.

“I heard it when the acting National Chairman of PDP was directing the National Secretary to resume. The National Secretary is not your appointee. He has been doing his work since his election. You can’t call him to resume,” Wike said.

He expressed dismay over the party’s decision to approach INEC for clarity, stressing that legal ignorance is no excuse.

“I feel so bad when people can now move to INEC to direct them to obey a Supreme Court judgment—it’s most unfortunate. If it’s because of your ignorance of the law, too bad. The law does not recognize ignorance,” he added.

Wike further urged Damagum to seek guidance rather than act out of pride or rely solely on party allocations.

“Continue to shoot yourself. I will not be a part of those who will shoot themselves. When you don’t know something, ask the right person. Not because of ego or monthly allocation—money does not solve all the problems,” the minister said.

The remarks from both Akpabio and Wike come amid mounting concerns over the weakening of opposition voices in the country’s political landscape, with analysts warning that internal divisions could diminish the effectiveness of democratic checks and balances.