President Bola Tinubu has delivered a stern warning to party members, stressing that political parties often collapse not because of electoral defeat, but due to internal divisions and misplaced priorities.
He spoke during the 4th Elective National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, and warned against internal decay, saying, “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.”
The President urged party stakeholders to prioritise unity, discipline, and shared values, describing unity—not numerical strength—as the APC’s greatest asset.
He called on delegates to conduct themselves with maturity during the convention and avoid actions that could fracture the party.
“Let no contest divide us. Let no outcome embitter us. At the end of this convention, our party must be the victor,” he said.
Tinubu took a direct swipe at opposition parties, accusing them of deliberately misrepresenting the Electoral Act for political advantage.
“While we welcome criticism, the constant attacks by opposition groups on the Electoral Act 2026 are a disservice to the Nigerian people,” he said before party delegates at the Eagle Square.
Positioning the issue as a central concern for governance and democratic integrity, the President stressed that the law was not arbitrarily imposed but emerged from a rigorous legislative process involving public participation.
He said, “It is public knowledge that the processes leading to the amendment of the 2022 Electoral Act passed through the crucible of legislative scrutiny, including public hearings. The Electoral Act was passed by the National Assembly, elected by the Nigerian people in accordance with the Constitution.”
President Tinubu argued that criticisms portraying the law as anti-democratic ignored those procedural safeguards and risked undermining public confidence in the electoral system.
According to him, the Act represents a collective national effort to strengthen electoral processes and should not be reduced to a tool for partisan rhetoric.
“The Act reflects our collective quest as a nation to strengthen our electoral system and consolidate democratic rule,” he said.
The President’s remarks come amid heightened political tension and growing accusations from opposition parties that recent political developments, including defections to the ruling APC, could weaken democratic competition.
However, Tinubu dismissed what he described as “deliberate mischaracterisation” of both the Electoral Act and his administration’s broader intentions, insisting that constructive criticism—not distortion—was essential for national progress.
The President also rejected claims that the APC was steering Nigeria toward a one-party state, despite a wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling party.
“Let me reiterate, especially to those who often lament and misunderstand us: we do not seek a one-party state,” he said.
He underscored the importance of opposition in a healthy democracy, noting that governance improves when leaders are challenged and held accountable.
“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,” he added.
He said the influx of new members into the APC over the past two years demonstrated “the strength of our beliefs and Nigerians’ trust in our party.”
