The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has stated that there is nothing wrong with Nigeria being a one-party state.
Ganduje said the APC was willing and capable of integrating all defectors into its ranks.
Ganduje mentioned 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 officially 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 stated that 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.
The former governor of Nasarawa State 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, signalling 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 further opined that the mass defections were not harbingers of a one-party state, as many political actors presume.
However, 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 condemned the country’s political structure, saying, “You know, they say too many cooks spoil the soup; too many political parties spoil governance.”
