The national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has come under fire over his remarks suggesting the party is not opposed to Nigeria becoming a one-party state.
Ganduje had, in an interview with State House correspondents after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, insisted the APC was not actively pursuing a one-party system.
He, however, added that if Nigerians gravitated en masse to the ruling party, “we cannot quarrel with that.”
“Leaders worried about a one-party state have no need to fear. A one-party state is not by force; it is by negotiation. 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 said.
He had also claimed that a multi-party system spoils governance, saying, “Today, China is one of the strongest countries in the world and is a one-party system. We are not saying we are working for a one-party system, 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,” Ganduje said.
Ganduje’s remarks came amid the wave of defections to the APC, including those of Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) who joined the party after meeting with President Tinubu on Friday.
The opposition has been further depleted in recent weeks with the defections of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former governor and 2023 PDP vice-presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa as well as other state officials and lawmakers to the APC.
Several National Assembly members have also defected, fuelling concerns that the APC-led government may be orchestrating a gradual slide to a one-party state.
Last week, former President Goodluck Jonathan spoke against it, warning that any move to establish a one-party state through political manipulation to serve individual ambitions would be detrimental to the country.
Although the presidency and the APC leadership have denied any intention to pursue a one-party agenda, Ganduje’s latest comments have re-ignited speculation that state resources might be quietly deployed to undermine the opposition.
In separate interviews with Daily Trust yesterday, opposition parties, civil society groups and pro-democracy advocates condemned Ganduje’s remarks, warning against attempts to stifle political plurality.
It’s disregard for democratic principles – NNPP
In Kano, where Ganduje served as governor for eight years, the state chairman of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, said the comments reflected a disregard for democratic principles.
“I was not surprised by Ganduje’s thoughts on a one-party system, because it shows a lack of commitment to democratic ideals. A true democrat believes in participation, diversity of opinion, and the value of opposition,” he said.
“When someone in a position of power, disregards other parties or voices, it raises serious concerns. Democracy is about openness, inclusion, and respecting the legitimacy of diverse political actors. Being in another party doesn’t make one irrelevant—it enriches democratic discourse.
“When someone starts believing that only one party should exist, or that only their views matter, it becomes a problem. No country develops without a viable opposition. The democracies we admire—like Britain and the United States—do not operate one-party systems.”
The national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has come under fire over his remarks suggesting the party is not opposed to Nigeria becoming a one-party state.
Ganduje had, in an interview with State House correspondents after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, insisted the APC was not actively pursuing a one-party system.
He, however, added that if Nigerians gravitated en masse to the ruling party, “we cannot quarrel with that
“Leaders worried about a one-party state have no need to fear. A one-party state is not by force; it is by negotiation. 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 said.
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He had also claimed that a multi-party system spoils governance, saying, “Today, China is one of the strongest countries in the world and is a one-party system. We are not saying we are working for a one-party system, 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,” Ganduje said.
Ganduje’s remarks came amid the wave of defections to the APC, including those of Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) who joined the party after meeting with President Tinubu on Friday.
The opposition has been further depleted in recent weeks with the defections of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former governor and 2023 PDP vice-presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa as well as other state officials and lawmakers to the APC.
Several National Assembly members have also defected, fuelling concerns that the APC-led government may be orchestrating a gradual slide to a one-party state.
Last week, former President Goodluck Jonathan spoke against it, warning that any move to establish a one-party state through political manipulation to serve individual ambitions would be detrimental to the country.
Although the presidency and the APC leadership have denied any intention to pursue a one-party agenda, Ganduje’s latest comments have re-ignited speculation that state resources might be quietly deployed to undermine the opposition.
In separate interviews with Daily Trust yesterday, opposition parties, civil society groups and pro-democracy advocates condemned Ganduje’s remarks, warning against attempts to stifle political plurality.
It’s disregard for democratic principles – NNPP
In Kano, where Ganduje served as governor for eight years, the state chairman of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, said the comments reflected a disregard for democratic principles.
“I was not surprised by Ganduje’s thoughts on a one-party system, because it shows a lack of commitment to democratic ideals. A true democrat believes in participation, diversity of opinion, and the value of opposition,” he said.
“When someone in a position of power, disregards other parties or voices, it raises serious concerns. Democracy is about openness, inclusion, and respecting the legitimacy of diverse political actors. Being in another party doesn’t make one irrelevant—it enriches democratic discourse.
“When someone starts believing that only one party should exist, or that only their views matter, it becomes a problem. No country develops without a viable opposition. The democracies we admire—like Britain and the United States—do not operate one-party systems.”
Dungurawa urged Ganduje to retract his statement, saying it could sow unnecessary division.
He added: “Leadership requires respect for the fact that power ultimately comes from the people. One day, someone else will hold the positions we do today. That’s the essence of democracy. I sincerely urge him to withdraw the statement, as I believe most Nigerians are uncomfortable with such remarks.”
DAILY TRUST.
