Due to his remarks regarding a one-party state, Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has come under fire.
At the presidential mansion on Friday, Ganduje reportedly stated that there is no need to worry about Nigeria becoming a one-party state.
According to the APC National Chairman, China has made great economic strides despite being a one-party state.
Leaders should not be alarmed by the prospect of a one-party state. Negotiation, not coercion, is the basis for a one-party state. The effect of our party’s good administration is being observed by other political parties. He said, “I think there is nothing wrong with them coming to our celebration voluntarily.
In response to the statement made by the former Kano State governor, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, the chairman of the Kano chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), claimed Ganduje lacked democratic principles.
Because it demonstrates a lack of dedication to democratic principles, Ganduje’s views on a one-party system did not surprise me. A true democrat values differences of opinion, involvement, and the strength of opposition.
There are major issues when a powerful person ignores other people or their opinions. Being transparent, inclusive, and acknowledging the legitimacy of many political players are all aspects of democracy. It enhances democratic discourse; belonging to a different party does not render one irrelevant.
The belief that there should be only one party or that their opinions are the only ones that count is problematic. Every nation grows with a strong opposition. The democracies that we hold in high regard, such as the United States and Britain, do not have one-party systems.
Being aware that power is temporary, the chairman of the Kano NNPP requested Ganduje to take back his remarks.
“Being a leader means respecting the truth that the people are ultimately in charge. The jobs we do now will eventually be filled by someone else. The core of democracy is that. Since I think the majority of Nigerians find such statements offensive, I truly want him to take the statement down,” he told Daily Trust.
Ohanaeze: “Ohanaeze: One-Part State Not Possible”
A one-party state is bad for democracy, Ohanaeze Ndigbo National Publicity Secretary Ezechi Chukwu said in his remarks.
Note that Nigeria cannot prosper under a one-party system, Chukwu reminded supporters. But he asserted that Nigeria requires powerful opposition parties.
Strong opposition is necessary for a multi-party democracy to succeed, he emphasized.
Our modern polity cannot function well under a one-party state or mono-party democracy. The current Nigerian constitution does not allow for a one-party system. He stated, “It allows for a multi-party democracy.”
It is clear that the founders of our constitution had to have taken into account our nation’s pluralistic traits and our aspirations as a people, which is why our constitution’s multi-party system was established.
Therefore, anything that is done or institutionalized to detract from our constitution’s complex political nature is detrimental to our democracy.
“We lack strong, independent, and solid institutions, which is why there is no significant pushback. Multi-party democracy would flourish if our institutions were de-individualized and independent of any ruling government.
Read Also:Â PDP in Turmoil: Wike Attends Crucial Stakeholders Meeting
Creating an atmosphere that supports the success of our democracy is a moral obligation for our political leaders. “Anything that goes against that will put the foundations of our political life in danger,” he stated.
According to Afenifere, Nigerians Will Oppose a One-Party State
In an interview with Daily Trust, Prince Justice Faloye, the spokesperson for Afenifere, also criticized Lagos State’s 12-year one-party system, saying it is unthinkable in Nigeria.
According to Faloye, a one-party state is not democratic and ought not to be supported. An undemocratic electoral system, he pointed out, is the reason why lawmakers desert to the ruling party.
A one-party system is not democratic, whereas this system is. By threatening governors to defect, we are aware that’s where they’re going.
Lagos, which has essentially been a one-party state for 12 years, is where it occurs. But it would be resisted by Nigerians.
We’ve witnessed it. Democracy is no longer viable with INEC, the police, and the judiciary all in his pockets. Violence is inevitable if nonviolent change is rendered impossible.
“People are going to vote for you if you perform exceptionally. The PDP stayed in power for 60 years, but they left after losing. That’s what we expect if Tinubu loses. He asserted, “No one-party state has ever escaped eventual revolt.”
