Tinubu Fires Back: ‘We’re Not Chasing A One-Party State

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rejected claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is seeking to establish a one-party state. Speaking at the party’s national convention held at Eagle Square, Abuja, Tinubu emphasized his commitment to a strong and credible opposition capable of challenging, questioning, and refining government policies.

According to reports, Tinubu highlighted the party’s growth through recent defections and expressed optimism that more politicians would join the APC. He stated, “Let me reiterate, especially to those who often lament and misunderstand us: we do not seek a one-party state. Democracy thrives on vibrant and healthy competition. As a statesman and political leader, I believe in a credible opposition, one that can challenge, question and help refine policies. That is how statecraft improves, and good governance is achieved. That is how nations advance.”

He urged incoming party officers to maintain the party’s expansive structure through credible leadership and transparent management, supported by a reliable database of members nationwide. The president also underscored that the APC’s greatest strength lies in its unity rather than its size.

“Political parties do not fail only through electoral defeats. Often, they falter when ego overrides ideology or when ambition replaces discipline. They fail when individual interests threaten the collective good. We must guard against those tendencies at all costs,” he added.

Tinubu called on members to demonstrate that the APC is strong, united, focused, and prepared for the future. He further reminded delegates that the party was not merely created to serve the ambitions of politicians but as a vehicle for national transformation—a platform for building a Nigeria where governance works, institutions function, opportunities abound, security prevails, poverty declines, and every citizen, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or social status, can live with dignity and hope.