PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, confidently declared that he is expecting more members of opposition political parties to join the All Progressives Congress, APC, before the 2027 general elections.

The Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, and the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party adopted him as the sole candidate.

Speaking at the National Summit of the APC, with the theme: “Renewed Hope Agenda: The Journey so far’ held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu said it’s one party that is ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians.

“Before I speak, I just need to tell those saying one party system is not good, it’s one party ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians.

Where do they stand?“You don’t blame a people bailing out of a sinking ship when there is no life jacket. I am glad about what we have and I am expecting more to come. That is the game.

” We are in a constitutional democracy. Don’t forget that freedom of movement and association are not criminally punishable. Welcome to the progressives. Sweep them clean.”

Speaking on his endorsement, he said: “We will lead you on to that promised land. The resuscitation of the Nigerian economy is on course, the hope is standing before you, take it on.

President Bola Tinubu, Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential candidate, and former Ekiti governor Kayode Fayemi met at Pope Leo XIV’s installation mass on Sunday in Rome.

Fayemi sighted President Tinubu, where he sat with other leaders and asked Obi to follow him to pay homage to the Nigerian leader. Obi agreed.

On getting to the President, Fayemi broke the ice between Obi and Tinubu.

He said: “Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.”

President Tinubu, ever quick-witted, responded: “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation”.

The President’s response cracked up Obi, who agreed with the President.

Obi said: “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation”.

Peter Obi and Fayemi are staunch Catholics and Papal knights.

•Pat Utomi

Economist and political activist Professor Pat Utomi has reacted to the legal action initiated against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) following his formation of a shadow government-the ‘Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government’, designed to serve as a credible opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a post shared on his X account on Friday, Utomi said that he remains resolute in his commitment to democratic ideals.

“I am heartened by messages of solidarity from across Nigeria on this shadowy business of chasing shadows of shadow cabinets. Reminds me of the Nigeria I used to know. I want to thank all. It’s energizing some want to put together 500 lawyers to defend me against the DSS.

“To worship money and power at the expense of the future all our children will live in, with no care for the peace and progress of those times is condemnable by all of decent conscience. They have a moral obligation to push back on such darkness.

“It’s amazing that we are chasing shadows while our constitution is unraveling aided by those in power.

The constitution holds that those who defect from parties they were elected from MUST have their seats declared vacant. If DSS enjoys going to court, it should prosecute such.”

He wrote, “It was put as a question: Is this how democracy dies in Nigeria. The answer is in the affirmative. This is how democracy died in Nigeria. Where citizens cannot organize themselves to ask questions of their agents.”