, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has said there is nothing wrong with Nigeria becoming a one-party state, provided it reflects the collective desire of the people.){kind=link}
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has said there is nothing wrong with Nigeria becoming a one-party state, provided it reflects the collective desire of the people.
Ganduje made this known on Friday while addressing journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leading three senators from Kebbi State, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, to meet with President Bola Tinubu.
The lawmakers—Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)—formally announced their defection to the ruling party during the visit.
Present at the meeting were Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, his Sokoto State counterpart, Ahmad Aliyu, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning.
Ganduje clarified that while the APC is not actively pushing for a one-party system, it is open to embracing the idea if it aligns with the aspirations of Nigerians.
“We are not saying we are working towards a one-party system, but if that is the will of Nigerians, we will not oppose it,” he said.
He noted that the party has laid down structures for the seamless integration of defectors, stressing that the APC’s constitution and political experience will guide the smooth absorption of new members.
The defection of the three senators, Ganduje revealed, was a product of several weeks of discreet negotiations among key stakeholders in Kebbi State.
He added that President Tinubu had endorsed their move to the APC, a gesture that indicates the party’s readiness to expand its base.
Ganduje hinted that the official announcement of the senators’ defection would take place in the Senate next week, stating, “By Tuesday, you will see what will happen in the Red Chambers.”
He dismissed fears that a wave of defections could turn Nigeria into a one-party state, insisting that the APC’s growing appeal stems from its achievements and not from coercion.
“A one-party state is not achieved by force; it is the outcome of successful negotiations and the attractiveness of good governance,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with China, he added, “China is one of the most powerful countries in the world and operates a one-party system. So, if Nigerians choose that model through their support, we see nothing wrong.”
Ganduje also criticized the country’s multiparty structure, arguing that an overabundance of political parties may hinder effective governance.
“They say too many cooks spoil the broth. Likewise, too many political parties can spoil governance,” he remarked.