BREAKING: One-Party State Not the Best Course for Nigeria’s Democracy, Says APC’s Farouk Aliyu
All Progressives Congress (APC) member and former member of the House of Representatives Farouk Aliyu has denied that the party desires the country to be a one party state, saying that it is not the best course for Nigeria’s democracy.
The APC member, in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, said this in reaction to comments by party chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, who praised the possibility of a one party state and affirmed APC’S readiness to assume such a role in the country.
Aliyu said, “We in the APC do not support a one-party state. Ganduje’s statement is his personal opinion, and while he is our leader, it does not reflect the views of the party as a whole.”
He further elaborated, “A one-party state is certainly not the best path forward for our democracy. While Ganduje is entitled to his opinion, it does not represent the party’s stance.”
Aside this, he claimed the APC is not responsible for the mass defections ongoing especially from its main rival, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Multiple PDP governors have indicated interest in or defected to APC with sitting Delta state governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s defection with all of PDP’s Delta state chapter being the most significant example.
“What is our fault if anybody wants to join APC?” Aliyu questioned, “We have been the opposition for a while until we became the ruling party.”
“So if the members of the PDP or other parties decide to join us, we will not stop them. You know, so that’s their business. But honestly, having everybody joining, you know, APC is no good for democracy.”
Aliyu underscored that ultimately, the Nigerian electorate will decide the outcome of future elections.
“The people will decide who governs them. Whether 90% of Nigerians decide to join APC in terms of numbers, when it comes to voting, the people will decide whom to go with.
“So if the Nigerian public don’t accept this gale of movement, they have the right to decide when the election comes.”
Alongside the mass defections is the defection of fellow APC foundational member Nasir El Rufai from APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Aliyu said he doubted the motivation of El Rufai, who had expressed his disappointment in APC and the Tinubu administration as reasons for his defection.
“My honest opinion is that [his reasons are] selfish and personal. All this talking about Tinubu now, the party not being there and all the party has walked away from its ideals, is simply because he’s not a minister today.”
“If he were a minister,” he goes on, “he wouldn’t be talking like this…He was promised ministerial appointment before Tinubu was elected and he didn’t get it so he’s not taking it lightly. Nevertheless, he’s entitled to his personal opinion.”
Alongside the gale of defections is talks of coalition between the two main rivals of APC, PDP and Labour party, with Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi from both parties respectively seeming to spearhead one of multiple emerging coalitions to check APC’s dominance in the nation.
The former House of Representatives member said that his party is well aware of coalition efforts and is capable of meeting the challenge.
“We don’t ignore anybody. (The opposition) are Nigerians with the right (to oppose us). We don’t think they are making noise… we are watching them and working behind the scenes to ensure that they do not rear their heads and defeat us as a party. It’s all part of democracy. They can continue to collate while we continue to disband them.”