The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has said that Nigeria could adopt a one-party system if that is the desire of its citizens, arguing that too many political parties hinder effective governance.
Speaking to journalists at the State House on Friday after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Ganduje made the remarks while announcing the imminent defection of three People’s Democratic Party (PDP) senators from Kebbi State to the ruling APC.
“If a one-party state is a wish and blessing to Nigeria, then so be it,” Ganduje said. “A one-party state is not by force. 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.”
Dismissing speculations that the APC is actively working toward establishing a one-party system, Ganduje insisted that voluntary political realignments are within democratic norms.
“We are not saying we are working for a one-party system,” he clarified. “But if this is the wish of Nigerians, we cannot quarrel with that. You know they say too many cooks spoil the soup — too many political parties spoil governance.”
Referencing global political models, Ganduje added, “Today, China is one of the most powerful countries in the world, and it is a one-party system.”
On the defection of the three senators, Ganduje described it as a reflection of growing public and political support for President Tinubu’s administration.
“In continuation with the initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that APC must do what we must do democratically in order to increase our numerical strength — and not only our numerical strength but also our quality and capacity of followership — I am pleased to inform you that the three PDP Senators from Kebbi State have reached a resolution to decamp to our great party, the APC,” he said.
Ganduje noted that President Tinubu had “graciously blessed” the defection and expressed confidence in the party’s ability to manage the growing influx of defectors.
“In managing the new influx, our constitution is very clear about this. And not only that — our political dexterity in managing such affairs is on the table. So, I assure you there will be smooth integration,” he concluded.
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