President Tinubu has responded to rumors suggesting he prevented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from registering new political parties in Nigeria.
Speaking during his address to lawmakers at the National Assembly on Democracy Day, the president cleared the air, stating that such claims are false and without any basis.
While speaking to the joint session of lawmakers on Thursday, President Tinubu made it clear that at no point has his administration interfered with INEC’s mandate to register political parties.
According to him, the commission operates independently and has not received any directive to stop party registration.
“I have never stopped the registration of any political party,” he said during the session, directly responding to circulating reports and social media posts suggesting otherwise.
In addition, President Tinubu rejected allegations accusing him of attempting to transform Nigeria into a one-party state. He noted that political diversity is an essential part of democracy and that his government respects the right of Nigerians to associate freely and form political groups of their choice.
However, Tinubu also made a sharp comment directed at the opposition. While reaffirming his party’s openness, he stated that it was not his duty to assist opposition parties with their internal issues.
“It is indeed a pleasure to watch your houses in disarray,” the president added, suggesting that the current disorganization within rival parties is not his concern.
Tinubu also took a moment to acknowledge new members joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Delta and Akwa Ibom States. “You are all welcome to the progressives forum,” he said, as he received the new entrants with open arms.
He further noted that the APC must remain open to growth and warned against shutting the door on potential members, regardless of their past political alignments.
