“Too Many Parties Spoil Governance”: Ganduje Hints at One-Party State as Opposition Lawmakers Defect

 

The prospect of Nigeria evolving into a one-party state received unexpected endorsement on Friday when Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), offered a spirited defense of the idea, describing it as potentially beneficial and drawing parallels with China’s political model.

Ganduje, who led a delegation of senators from Kebbi State to the Presidential Villa, was responding to rising concerns over the growing number of defections from opposition parties into the ruling APC. The delegation included Senators Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki — all formerly with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — who formally declared their intention to cross over to the APC.

Their defection marks another chapter in the steady weakening of opposition structures in Nigeria’s legislature, a trend that has alarmed political analysts and civic groups worried about democratic pluralism.

During the meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ganduje said the defection of the three senators was a resolution taken by stakeholders in Kebbi State. He described the meeting as an opportunity for the President to bless what he called “a collective and strategic realignment.”

His remarks, however, quickly took a broader political tone, as he addressed growing fears that Nigeria may be heading toward a de facto one-party state. For Ganduje, such an outcome is not only acceptable but could actually enhance governance.

"A one-party state is not something to be feared if it arises naturally from the people’s preference and trust," he said. "It is not by force; it is by political negotiation and the demonstration of good governance by one party to the extent that others voluntarily join."

Asserting that too many political parties may dilute governance and complicate national direction, Ganduje cited China — a one-party state led by the Communist Party — as an example of a nation that has achieved remarkable global status under a unified political structure.

“China is one of the strongest countries in the world, and it is a one-party system. We are not saying we are working for a one-party system, but if that is the wish of Nigerians, we cannot quarrel with that,” he said.

According to Ganduje, the movement of political actors into the APC is not coercive but reflective of confidence in the leadership and direction provided by the current administration.

His comments suggest a deliberate reframing of what many view as a threat to democratic diversity. Rather than perceiving the shrinking opposition as a sign of political imbalance, the APC chairman cast it as a rational and positive evolution.

He continued, “You know the saying — too many cooks spoil the soup. I believe too many political parties spoil governance. When people see the good work that a ruling party is doing, it’s only natural they want to be part of it.”

This interpretation, however, may not sit well with democratic advocates who warn that the collapse of competitive politics can easily spiral into autocracy. The effectiveness of governance, they argue, relies not only on the competence of those in power but on the existence of viable alternatives and checks on authority.

Observers have long pointed to the frequent defections in Nigeria’s political scene as symptomatic of weak ideological foundations. Critics argue that such movements are often motivated less by shared policy values and more by political expediency, patronage, and access to federal power.

Friday’s event also appeared to underscore the growing influence of the APC in the National Assembly. Ganduje teased upcoming developments in the legislative chambers, saying, “On Tuesday, I urge you to go and see what will happen in the chambers,” possibly hinting at a broader realignment in parliamentary numbers or leadership.

The defection of Senators Aliero, Abdullahi, and Maidoki significantly reshapes the political map of Kebbi State, a region previously seen as a stronghold for the PDP. With their shift, the APC now strengthens its grip both federally and regionally, further marginalizing opposition forces.

President Tinubu, according to Ganduje, gave his blessing to the senators’ defection, solidifying the move as part of a broader political strategy. The President has not issued a public statement on the matter, but sources close to the meeting describe it as cordial and “forward-looking.”

Political analysts will undoubtedly be watching Tuesday’s legislative proceedings closely, especially in light of Ganduje’s forecast of significant activity. Whether this signals additional defections or a move toward restructuring legislative leadership remains to be seen.

As the APC continues to consolidate power, questions persist about the long-term implications for Nigeria’s democracy. While Ganduje and his allies may view a dominant party structure as a pathway to streamlined governance, others warn that the erosion of competitive politics could undermine accountability, restrict dissent, and stifle innovation in governance.

The country now faces a critical junction: embrace the convenience of political consolidation or reaffirm the necessity of pluralism in a young and evolving democracy. The direction Nigeria takes in the months ahead may well define the character of its Fourth Republic.