President Bola Tinubu has denied claims that he is orchestrating the wave of defections from opposition parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC), maintaining that no one has been forced or pressured to switch allegiance.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interfaith Iftar with senators at the Presidential Villa, the president addressed allegations that his administration is deliberately weakening opposition parties.
Tinubu said while critics are free to express their views, accusations that he is undermining rival parties are unfounded.
He insisted he has not coerced any politician into joining the ruling party and rejected suggestions of political interference.
He added that he could not fault politicians who chose to defect, likening their decisions to leaving a “sinking ship,” while pointing to terrorism and banditry as major national challenges contributing to political tensions.
“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.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Orders One-Year Extension Of Raw Shea Nut Export Ban
“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.
The President urged political leaders to prioritise unity in line with the vision of Nigeria’s founding fathers, stressing that constitutional democracy is meant to foster cooperation rather than conflict.
“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.”