By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday mocked the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for not putting their House in order instead of accusing him of turning Nigeria into a one-party state.
Tinubu stated this while addressing the two chambers of the National Assembly on the occasion of Democracy Day.
He also seized the occasion to confer posthumous honours on the late heroes and heroines of Democracy, including the wife of the symbol of the June 12, 1993 General Election in Nigeria.
Other beneficiaries of the presidential gesture include environmental crusaders, rights activists, leaders of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), journalists, and other Nigerians who played crucial roles in the struggle to enthrone democracy in Nigeria.
Tinubu appealed to the leaders of the opposition PDP to address their internal crisis, which is causing their leaders to defect in droves to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He denied insinuations that the APC was nursing the ambition of turning Nigeria into a one-party state.
The President said, “To those who ring the alarm that the APC is intent on a one-party state, I offer you a most personal promise. While your alarm may be a result of your panic, it rings in error. At no time in the past, nor any instance in the present, and at no future juncture shall I view the notion of a one-party state as good for Nigeria.
“I have never attempted to alter any political party registration with INEC. Equally, my friends, we cannot blame anybody seeking to bail out of a sinking ship, even without a life jacket. Look at my political history. I would be the last person to advocate such a scheme.
“In 2003, when the then-governing party tried to sweep the nation clean of political opposition through plot and manipulation, I was the last of the progressive governors standing in my region.
“In all their numbers and false grandeur, they boasted of ruling, not governing Nigeria for the next half century or more. Where are they now?
“Yet, I stood alone. My allies had been induced into defeat. My adversaries held all the cards that mortal man could carry.
“Even with all of that, they could not control our national destiny because fate is written from above. A greater power did not want Nigeria to become a one-party state at the time. Nigeria will not become such a state now.
“The failed effort to create a one-party state placed progressive political forces on a trajectory to form the APC. It put me on the trajectory which has brought me before you today. I dare not do such a favour to any political adversary by repeating the same mistake of political overreach.
“A one-party state is not in the offing. Nor should it ever be. That said, we would be guilty of political malpractice if we closed the door on those from other parties who now seek to join the APC.
“I sincerely welcome our party’s newest members from Delta and Akwa Ibom states led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Pastor Umo Eno and other members of this National Assembly.
“Political parties fearful of members leaving may be better served by examining their internal processes and affairs rather than fearfully conjuring up demons that do not exist.
“For me, try your best to put your House in order. I will not help you do so. It is, indeed, a pleasure to witness you in such disarray.
“We must welcome and accept the diversity and number of political parties just as we welcome and embrace the diversity of our population.
“Our efforts must never be to eliminate political competition but to make that competition salutary to the national well-being by working across the political aisle whenever possible.
“One area in which democracy calls us to work together, whether in the legislative or executive branch, whether in this or other political parties, is that of economic and social development.”
Tinubu said upon assuming office, his team moved to reform the country’s ailing economy.
“We introduced fundamental reforms to correct structural imbalances that prevented maximum growth,” he added.
*FG honours Soyinka, Sam Amuka, Kudirat Abiola, Shehu Yar’Adua, Humphrey Nwosu, and others
Tinubu seized the occasion to confer a post-humour national honour of CFR on Kudirat Abiola, the heroine of the June 12 struggle.
He also conferred posthumous national honours on Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa. Alfred Rewani (CFR), Bagauda Kaltho (OON), Chima Ubani (OON), Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), and Alao Aka Bashorun (CON).
Others are Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Professor Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON), Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON), Dr. Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON) and Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON).
The President also conferred national honours on Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), Pa. Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), the journalist and journalism teacher; Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), Senator Shehu Sani (CON), Governor Uba Sani (CON), and Barrister Femi Falana, SAN (CON).
The list also included Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Barrister Luke Aghanenu (OON), Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON), Hon. Labaran Maku (OON), Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Hon Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON) and Barrister Felix Morka (CON). Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Dr. Edwin Madunagu (CON),
Other beneficiaries are Barrister Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale Osun (CON), Dr. Amos Akingba (CON), Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Dr. Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof. Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR), and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR).
He additionally conferred the national honour of CON on Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, a legendary journalist and publisher who remains true to his lifetime calling as he marks his 90th birthday tomorrow, June 13.
He also conferred posthumous national honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON).
He said, “I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State.”
He then decorated the presiding officers of the National Assembly with the National Honours earlier conferred upon them last year.
