Senate President Godswill Akpabio has suggested that Nigeria’s opposition parties are unlikely to unite ahead of future elections due to their consistent antagonism towards President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He spoke in Abuja yesterday at the inauguration of the newly built Left- Service Carriageway.
Mr Akpabio said opposition leaders would struggle to build cohesion if their focus remains solely on criticising the government.
Notably, the event was attended by top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) figures, including former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Ayo Fayose.
His comments echoed Mr Tinubu’s remarks during his Democracy Day address to the National Assembly on June 12.
While rejecting claims that the APC was working to eliminate political opposition and create a one-party state, Mr Tinubu had openly stated that he was not bothered by the internal turmoil currently plaguing opposition groups.
Referring to those remarks, Mr Akpabio stated, “The president has said clearly that he does not desire a one-party system in Nigeria.
He has even encouraged opposition parties to put their houses in order. But if they fail to do so, no one will step in to do it for them—certainly not me, as Senate President.”
He added that constant misinformation and relentless criticism from opposition camps are undermining any real chance of unity.
“How can you come together when your daily narrative paints everything as negative?” he asked. “You claim nothing works. Was Nigeria like this in 1960? Was Abuja the same three years ago?”
Amid ongoing legal battles and leadership disputes within the PDP and Labour Party, internal fractures appear to be weakening their political strength.
These crises have also spurred defections to the APC, with recent examples including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Umo Eno, who both left the PDP for the ruling party.
Mr Akpabio’s comments highlight the growing perception that the APC is consolidating its dominance, not necessarily by suppressing opposition, but by benefiting from their internal disarray.
