The acting chairman of the Edo State All Progressives Congress, Jarret Tenebe, has said that it is not the responsibility of his party to make opposition parties formidable.
Tenebe made the remarks on Saturday while responding to concerns that Nigeria is gradually becoming a one-party state under President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking to journalists in Benin, he stated that it is the duty of opposition parties to be strong and noted that the constitution guarantees freedom of association.
He said, “It is not the duty of the ruling party to protect the opposition. It is the responsibility of the opposition to be formidable. The Constitution guarantees freedom of association.
“If anyone wants to associate with us, we will accept them. I am not bothered even if all political parties collapse into the APC.”
The acting chairman also dismissed claims of a rift between himself and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former governor and party leader in the state.
He explained, “The leader of the party in the state is Governor Monday Okpeholo. There have been insinuations that Senator Oshiomhole and I are not working together, and that is very far from the truth.
“The only point where we differed was during the primaries before the governorship election. I insisted that the right thing should be done, and once I push for what is right, I do not relent until it is achieved.
“After the primaries, we had the election, campaigned together, won together, and have continued to work together. There are absolutely no cracks on the wall.”
Tenebe noted that he has been acting as the chairman under a caretaker arrangement and that this would be his first term as substantive chairman if confirmed. He added that the party is focused on supporting the state government to succeed.
“We started the fight to ensure that we had a good candidate and a good government in Edo State, and we achieved that. The next step is to support the government to succeed.
“As party chairman, it is my responsibility to stand with the governor, defend him, and ensure he delivers the dividends of democracy promised to the people.
“Elections are not an individual effort; the party is central to governance. The policies and manifesto sold to the people are party documents, and the party must ensure these promises are implemented,” he said.
Tenebe further stated that the APC is united and prepared for a seamless congress in the state, adding that the party will emerge from its national convention strongly. He said he is also ready to assume a different role if directed by the governor.
On complaints about hunger and hardship in the country, Tenebe said, “It depends on perspective. Prices of goods are coming down, and many developments show that the president has direction and knows what he is doing.
“Security challenges existed long before President Tinubu assumed office, and he is actively addressing them. People stopped going to farms due to insecurity, and that was not caused by this administration.
“Some roots of insecurity trace back to past policies, including the disbandment of specialised security forces and regional conflicts spilling into Nigeria.
“However, the president is doing his best, and progress is being made.”
He added that logistics are being arranged to ensure Edo people who registered in the state can vote in the 2027 general election.
Tenebe also revealed that by next week, the APC would formally receive all Labour Party local government chairmen into the party, and that meetings have been held with 16 PDP chairmen who are defecting to the APC.
He concluded, “If you look closely, you will see that the opposition has already collapsed.”
