By Our Correspondent
National News – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday criticised opposition parties for allegedly misrepresenting the Electoral Act for political gain, insisting that the law was enacted through a transparent legislative process aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking at the 4th Elective National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at Eagle Square in Abuja, Tinubu said persistent attacks on the Electoral Act 2026 by opposition groups were misleading and harmful to the country’s democratic development.
The President stated that the Act emerged from a rigorous legislative process involving public hearings and scrutiny by the National Assembly, stressing that it should not be distorted for partisan politics.
According to him, criticisms portraying the law as anti-democratic ignore the safeguards built into the legislative process and risk undermining public confidence in the electoral system.
Tinubu also dismissed claims that the ruling APC was pushing Nigeria toward a one-party state amid a wave of defections from opposition parties.
He said democracy thrives on healthy political competition and maintained that a credible opposition capable of challenging government policies was essential for improving governance.
The President attributed the increasing number of politicians joining the APC to what he described as growing confidence in the party’s leadership and vision.
However, he warned party members against internal divisions, noting that political parties often collapse not only due to electoral defeat but also because of internal conflicts and personal ambitions overriding collective interests.
Tinubu urged party leaders and delegates to prioritise unity, discipline, and shared values during the convention, stressing that unity remained the party’s greatest strength.
During his address, the President also defended his administration’s economic reforms, acknowledging that the policies were difficult but necessary for long-term stability and growth.
He said recent reforms were beginning to produce positive results, pointing to declining inflation, rising investor confidence, trade surpluses, and improvements in the Nigerian stock market.
Tinubu added that Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list signalled renewed international financial credibility and progress in economic governance.
Earlier at the convention, the chairman of the APC National Convention Coordinating Committee and former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, alongside Minister of Finance Wale Edun and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, commended Tinubu’s reforms and leadership.
They said the administration’s policies were helping stabilise the economy, reduce poverty, and strengthen Nigeria’s development prospects.
