As APC Welcomes Three Senators
By Emmanuel Adegbite
In a statement that has sparked widespread debate and concern across Nigeria’s political landscape, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has declared that a one-party state could be a “blessing” to the country, asserting that “there is nothing wrong” with such a political arrangement.
Ganduje made this remark on Friday at the APC national secretariat in Abuja while formally receiving three senators who defected from the opposition parties to the ruling APC. The defecting lawmakers include Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra South), formerly of the Young Progressives Party (YPP); Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South), who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua (Katrina Central), whose move was also part of ongoing political realignments.
“There is nothing wrong if Nigeria becomes a one-party state. In fact, it may even be a blessing in disguise,” Ganduje said, smiling as he welcomed the senators. “We are open to receiving more lawmakers. The APC is the party of the people, and the people are beginning to show their loyalty in full force.”
The former Kano State governor praised the defectors for their “courage and foresight,” stating that their decision reflects the growing trust in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and the APC’s policy direction. He added that the party was committed to deepening governance and unity, which he implied could be better achieved under a single-party structure.
Ganduje’s comments have drawn sharp reactions from political analysts, civil society groups, and members of the opposition, who argue that such a stance undermines the principles of democracy and pluralism enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution.
Spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Debo Ologunagba, described the remarks as “irresponsible and undemocratic,” warning that such thinking signals a drift toward authoritarianism.
“Nigeria is a constitutional democracy. The idea of a one-party state is a recipe for tyranny and national division,” Ologunagba said in a statement on Saturday. “What Ganduje is suggesting is not only unconstitutional but dangerous.”
Civil society groups have also weighed in, with the Centre for Democratic Integrity (CDI) cautioning against rhetoric that encourages political domination at the expense of democratic competition.
Political observers say Ganduje’s statement raises red flags about the APC’s long-term intentions and the health of Nigeria’s democracy. Nigeria, a multi-ethnic and multi-religious federation, adopted a multiparty system to accommodate its rich diversity and ensure inclusivity. The 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of association and political participation, essential elements of a vibrant democracy.
Dr. Abiodun Fagbemi, a political scientist at the University of Ibadan, told [Your Publication] that Ganduje’s remarks, though possibly rhetorical, reveal a troubling mindset within the ruling party.
“A one-party state is antithetical to everything democracy stands for. History has shown that such systems breed repression, corruption, and lack of accountability,” Fagbemi said. “In a country like Nigeria, with deep-seated ethnic and regional divides, such a system would only widen the trust deficit.”
Ganduje’s statement also draws historical parallels to past authoritarian regimes across Africa. From Ghana under Kwame Nkrumah to Uganda under Idi Amin and even Nigeria under military rule, the absence of opposition has often translated into unchecked power, human rights abuses, and economic decline.
While the APC may currently control a majority of seats in the National Assembly and several state governments, critics argue that translating numerical dominance into a call for a one-party state is a slippery slope toward autocracy.
Analysts warn that comments like Ganduje’s could embolden efforts to silence dissent, manipulate electoral processes, and weaken institutional checks on executive power. Already, concerns have been raised about the shrinking civic space, clampdowns on media freedom, and the politicization of law enforcement agencies.
Although Ganduje attempted to present his view as benign and beneficial to national unity, the implications suggest otherwise. Many see the comments as reflective of a broader trend in the APC’s internal politics: the desire to consolidate power at all costs.
As Nigeria approaches future electoral cycles, stakeholders are calling for renewed commitment to democratic ideals. The responsibility now falls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organizations, the judiciary, and the Nigerian electorate to safeguard the nation’s democratic foundations.
“Nigeria’s democracy is not perfect, but the answer is not to destroy it,” said Aisha Yusuf, an activist with the Coalition for Civic Watch. “Our leaders must be reminded that power belongs to the people, not to a single party.”
Whether Ganduje’s comments were a political slip or a strategic declaration, one thing is certain: the soul of Nigerian democracy remains contested terrain and its survival depends on the vigilance of its people.
