The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has said there is nothing inherently wrong with Nigeria becoming a one-party state—if that reflects the collective will of the people.
Ganduje made the statement on Friday at the State House in Abuja, following a visit to President Bola Tinubu alongside three senators from Kebbi State who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC. The senators are Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki.
Commenting on concerns that the continued wave of defections from opposition parties might pave the way for a one-party system in Nigeria, Ganduje cited China as an example of a nation that has thrived under such a political structure.
“We came here so that Mr. President can bless this resolution, and Mr. President has graciously done that. On Tuesday, I urge you to go and see what will happen in the chambers,” Ganduje stated.
He insisted that a one-party state cannot be imposed but could emerge organically through effective governance and voluntary alignment by other political actors.
“If a one-party state is a wish and blessing to Nigeria… a one-party state is not by force,” he said. “It is by negotiation, and it is by other political parties seeing the effect of the positive governance of our party. If they decide to come to our party willingly, I think there is nothing wrong with that.”
He added: “Too many cooks spoil the soup — too many political parties spoil governance.”
Ganduje concluded by referencing China’s single-party model as evidence that a one-party system can deliver strong national results. “We are not saying we are working for a one-party system, but if that is the wish of Nigerians, we cannot quarrel with that,” he said.
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