President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday night dismissed allegations that he was responsible for defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress, saying he neither coerced nor forced anyone to abandon their political platforms.
Tinubu spoke during an interfaith breaking of fast with members of the Senate at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President said critics were entitled to their opinions but insisted he had no hand in weakening the opposition.
Tinubu said,“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 had the authority.
“But I can’t blame anybody for jumping out of a sinking ship if they did.”
He maintained that individuals who defected to the APC did so of their own volition, stressing that he did not abuse his office or use force against any political group.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to unite in the face of the country’s security challenges, including terrorism and banditry.
“What we have faced in the challenging period of this country, the terrorism and banditry, is causing us havoc. 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,”
he said.The President described Nigeria as extremely challenged by terrorism, banditry and insurgency, warning that urgent constitutional reforms were required to secure forests from criminal elements and protect vulnerable citizens.
Tinubu also called on the National Assembly to begin the process of amending the Constitution to allow for the establishment of state police.
He said incorporating state police into the constitutional framework would strengthen security architecture across the country and better address emerging threats.
The President urged lawmakers to prioritise the reform as part of broader efforts to stabilise the nation and reinforce constitutional democracy.
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