Umar Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has come under fire for his remarks regarding a one-party state.
Ganduje reportedly stated in the presidential house on Friday that there is no need to worry about Nigeria becoming a one-party state.
China has made remarkable economic strides under a one-party system, according to the APC National Chairman.
“There is nothing to be afraid of for leaders who are concerned about a one-party state. A one-party state is negotiated, not imposed. Other political parties are observing the impact of our party’s effective leadership. “I don’t see anything wrong with them coming to our party voluntarily,” he said.
The Kano chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, responded to the statement made by the former governor of Kano State by claiming that Ganduje lacked democratic principles.
Ganduje’s views on a one-party system did not surprise me because they demonstrate a lack of dedication to democratic principles. A genuine democracy values disagreement, diversity of thought, and involvement.
“There are major issues when someone in a position of authority ignores other parties or viewpoints. Openness, inclusivity, and honoring the legitimacy of many political players are all aspects of democracy. Being a member of a different party does not render one insignificant; rather, it enhances democratic conversation.
It becomes an issue when someone begins to think that there should only be one party or that their opinions are the only ones that count. Without a strong opposition, no nation can advance. The United States and Britain, two democracies that we hold in high regard, do not have one-party systems.
Given that authority is temporary, the chairman of the Kano NNPP advised Ganduje to take back his remarks.
“Respecting the idea that the people are ultimately in charge is essential to leadership. The jobs we currently hold will eventually be filled by someone else. That is what democracy is all about. I think the majority of Nigerians find such statements offensive, thus I truly ask him to take them down,” he told Daily Trust.
Ohanaeze: One-Part State Is Not Possible
Ezechi Chukwu, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s National Publicity Secretary, cautioned that a one-party state is detrimental to democracy.
Nigeria cannot prosper under a one-party system, Chukwu implored supporters to remember. However, he said that Nigeria requires powerful opposition parties.
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He emphasized that a multiparty democracy could only succeed if there was a robust opposition.
“Our modern polity cannot survive under a one-party state or mono-party democracy. Nigeria’s current constitution does not allow for a one-party system of government. It allows for a democracy with multiple parties,” he stated.
The rationale behind the multi-party system established in our constitution is clear: the founders of our constitution had to have taken into account the pluralistic nature of our nation and our aspirations as a people.
Therefore, anything that is done or institutionalized to compromise our constitution’s complex political structure is detrimental to our democracy.
Since we lack autonomous, strong, and resilient institutions, there isn’t any significant opposition. Our multi-party democracy would flourish if our institutions were depersonalized and independent of any ruling government.
It is morally required of our political leaders to foster an atmosphere that supports the growth of our democracy. The principles upon which our political life is based will be threatened by anything to the contrary,” he stated.
Nigerians Will Oppose a One-Party State, Says Afenifere
Afenifere spokesperson Prince Justice Faloye also talked to Daily Trust, criticizing Lagos State’s 12-year one-party system and asserting that it is not possible in Nigeria.
A one-party state is undemocratic and therefore not to be supported, according to Faloye. He pointed out that an undemocratic election system is the reason why lawmakers switch to the ruling party.
This is a democratic system; a one-party state is not. They are threatening governors to defect, and we know that’s where they’re going.
This is the situation in Lagos, which has essentially operated as a one-party state for the past 12 years. Nigerians, however, would fight against it.
We have witnessed it. Democracy is dead when he has the judiciary, police, and INEC in his pockets. Violent change is inevitable if peaceful change is rendered impossible.
People will vote for you if you perform very well. PDP moved away after losing, despite their belief that they would reign for 60 years. We anticipate the same if Tinubu loses. “No one-party state has ever been able to avoid an eventual uprising,” he remarked.
