The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it does not want Nigeria to become a one-party state, despite the recent wave of defections to the ruling party.
Mr. Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, stated this yesterday in Abuja. He said the party welcomes new members but has no intention of dominating the political space completely.
Morka recalled that when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power, it controlled over 28 states but was never accused of trying to create a one-party system. He argued that defections are normal in politics and that members of opposition parties are free to join the APC if they believe in its vision.
“Many of these people are coming in and saying, ‘We want to be part of the process. We want to identify with that process.’ There’s nothing wrong with that,” Morka said. “But that does not mean we want Nigeria to become a one-party system.”
He added that Nigeria’s Constitution and Electoral Act support a multi-party democracy, making it impossible for any single party to take full control.
The APC spokesman dismissed claims that the party is trying to eliminate opposition. Instead, he said the APC is focused on strengthening itself and delivering good governance.
“We cannot as a party desire to go against the Constitution,” Morka said. “Nigeria is a pluralist society, and the laws ensure it remains so.”
The statement comes as more politicians, particularly from the PDP and Labour Party, have recently defected to the APC. Critics have raised concerns about Nigeria moving toward a one-party system, but the APC insists it remains committed to a competitive political environment.
