From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has reassured Nigerians that fears of a one-party state were unfounded.
Speaking to State House Correspondents after he accompanied Senators Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki to meet President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Ganduje explained that a one-party system cannot be imposed by force but must happen through voluntary political agreement.
He said: “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.”
Ganduje referenced China as an example of a strong one-party system but clarified that the APC is not pursuing such a model. “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 added.
He assured that the recent defections into the ruling party, including three senators from Kebbi State, will be seamlessly integrated using the party’s established mechanisms.
Ganduje stressed, “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 added that the senators would soon formally announce their defection on the Senate floor.