President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mocked the deepening crises within opposition parties, describing their internal disunity as a welcome development that strengthens the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, as part of activities marking the 2025 Democracy Day, Tinubu said he derived satisfaction from watching the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) descend into internal turmoil.
The president, who addressed lawmakers at the House of Representatives chambers, stated that opposition parties should look inward for the causes of their instability instead of looking for scapegoats.
“Political parties’ fear of members leaving may be better served by examining their internal processes and affairs, rather than conjuring up demons that do not exist,” Tinubu said, drawing loud applause from APC lawmakers and supporters.
Continuing, he said, “For me, I would not say try your best to put your house in order, and I would not help you to do so either. It is indeed a pleasure to witness you in such a disarray.”
His remarks come against the backdrop of a wave of defections to the APC, as the 2027 general elections begin to shape the political landscape.
Data from both chambers of the National Assembly indicate a steady erosion of opposition strength since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly in 2023.
The APC has increased its dominance in the Senate from 59 seats to 68, while the PDP’s presence has shrunk from 36 to 30 seats.
The Labour Party now holds just five seats, down from eight, and the NNPP has dropped from two to one.
In the House of Representatives, opposition parties held 182 out of 360 seats in 2023. That number has now dwindled to 150, further solidifying the ruling party’s grip on federal legislative power.
Tinubu’s address replaced an earlier scheduled nationwide broadcast to commemorate Democracy Day, which honours the legacy of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Observers believe the president’s remarks reflect growing confidence within the APC as it capitalizes on the internal implosions facing its political rivals.
However, critics argue that the president’s mockery of the opposition could further undermine democratic consolidation and promote a one-party state if left unchecked.
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