Tinubu Taunts PDP, Labour Party Over Crisis, Says It’s a ‘Pleasure’ Watching Them in Disarray

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took a pointed jab at Nigeria’s opposition parties on Thursday, expressing open satisfaction over the internal crises rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP).

Speaking during a joint session of the National Assembly to commemorate Democracy Day, Tinubu welcomed recent defectors from the opposition into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and appeared to relish the disarray within rival camps.

“You are all welcome to the progressive fold. Nobody should close the door,” Tinubu said. “It is indeed a pleasure to witness you in such a disarray.”

The president’s remarks came as both the PDP and LP face internal turmoil, with several high-profile members defecting to the APC in recent weeks.

Tinubu, in a tone laced with mockery, advised opposition parties to stop panicking over defections and instead reflect on their internal shortcomings.

“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,” he said.

Taking the sarcasm a step further, he added, “For me, I will not say, try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you to do so, either.”

While APC lawmakers responded with applause and laughter, opposition members remained visibly unimpressed by the president’s comments.

Tinubu has previously stressed the role of a vibrant opposition in a healthy democracy, but his latest remarks suggest he has little patience—or sympathy—for parties struggling to maintain internal cohesion.