Ganduje backs one-party system as three Kebbi senators join APC

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has declared that there is nothing wrong in Nigeria being a one-party state.

He said the APC was willing and capable of integrating all defectors into its ranks.

Ganduje stated that although the APC was not gunning for a one-party state, it welcomed the idea, if Nigerians wanted it.

“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,” Ganduje told State House correspondents after he led three Peoples Democratic Party senators from Kebbi State to a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

The senators are Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South).

The lawmakers formally declared their intention to defect to the APC after the meeting.

Present at the meeting were the Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris; Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning.

Ganduje said the APC’s constitution and its internal structures provided clear guidance for integrating its new members.

“Our constitution is very clear about this and, beyond that, our political dexterity in managing such affairs is on the table. So, I assure you that there will be a smooth integration,” he stated.

Ganduje described the defection of the three lawmakers as strategic and beneficial to the party, noting it was the result of weeks of underground negotiations and consultations among key stakeholders in Kebbi State.

According to him, President Tinubu has given his blessing to the senators’ decision, signaling the party’s eagerness to welcome them.

“By Tuesday, you will see what will happen in the Red Chambers,” he added, implying an official announcement in the Senate next week.

Ganduje also argued that the mass defections were not harbingers of a one-party state, as many political actors presume.

Instead, he said it signals the APC’s growing dominance spurred by its performance and appeal nationwide.

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.

“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.”

He also berated the country’s political structure, saying, “You know, they say too many cooks spoil the soup; too many political parties spoil governance.”