Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that President Bola Tinubu desires a strong and vibrant opposition in Nigeria, and he urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to quickly address its ongoing leadership crisis.
Akpabio made this known on Wednesday while representing President Tinubu at the inauguration of a newly constructed Interchange connecting Wole Soyinka Way and Arterial Road N20 to the Murtala Mohammed Expressway in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Akpabio emphasized the importance of opposition parties, including the Labour Party (LP), reorganizing themselves to actively perform their roles in Nigeria’s democratic system.
“However, you people got yourselves into this confusion, try and get yourself out of it very quickly because President Bola Tinubu is interested in seeing a vibrant opposition,” Akpabio stated.
“As a true democrat, we would like to see a very vibrant opposition in the country. It saddens Tinubu when he sees the way the opposition in Nigeria is in disarray,” he added.
Akpabio also disclosed that he had received a defection letter from a member of the Labour Party, noting that the party was also experiencing internal cracks, not just the PDP.
“Even the LP is cracked, and people who are strong members of the party are angling to rule Nigeria when they cannot put a small political party like that in order,” he remarked.
He confirmed that Senator Neda Imasuen of Edo South had officially defected from the Labour Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), moving from the opposition benches to the majority side in the Senate.
“I had to do that ritual. I’m not tired. I’m happy to receive them because our doors are open in the APC,” Akpabio said.
Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, criticised the PDP’s directive for National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu to resume duty, calling the move unnecessary.
According to Wike, Anyanwu has been performing his duties all along and does not require any directive to continue. “The National Secretary has been working and will continue to work. He doesn’t require anybody to direct him to resume work,” he said.
Wike attributed the situation to ignorance of the law and made it clear he would not support actions that undermine the party.
What you should know
President Tinubu, through Senate President Akpabio, has shown support for a functioning opposition, reflecting a desire for democratic balance. However, infighting within the PDP and Labour Party continues to weaken opposition effectiveness, while the APC continues to gain defectors.
