Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that President Bola Tinubu is concerned about the lack of cohesion among Nigeria’s opposition parties and desires to see a more vibrant and united opposition.

 

Akpabio made the remarks on Wednesday, June 25, during the commissioning of the Interchange Bridge of Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way) over the Outer Northern Expressway (Murtala Mohammed Expressway) in Abuja, an event held to commemorate Tinubu’s second year in office. Akpabio represented the President at the ceremony.

 

The Senate President revealed that President Tinubu is “disappointed” by the ongoing internal crises in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), and believes a healthy democracy requires a robust opposition.

 

“You people got yourselves into this confusion—try and get out of it quickly,” Akpabio said, referring to the PDP. “President Tinubu is interested in seeing a vibrant opposition. It saddens him to see the opposition in such disarray. As a true democrat, he would like to see strong opposition parties in the country.”

 

Akpabio’s remarks came shortly after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, criticized PDP leaders for visiting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) amid the party’s internal struggle over its National Secretary position.

 

He also touched on the Labour Party’s own leadership troubles, stating, “Before coming here to represent the President, I received and read a letter from the Labour Party. So it’s not just the PDP; the Labour Party is also in disarray. People who can’t manage a small party are trying to run Nigeria.”

 

Akpabio went on to announce the defection of Senator Imasuen from the Labour Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

“I’m not tired; I’m happy to receive him. Our doors are open in the APC. Congratulations to Imasuen, who has decided to leave the fractured Labour Party and join the APC,” he added.