APC Secretary Ajibola Bashiru Defends One-Party Dominance, Says It Reflects Democracy, Not Dictatorship

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Bashiru, has said there is nothing undemocratic about all seats in the Nigerian Senate being occupied by members of the ruling party. Bashiru made the statement during the APC Stakeholders Forum held in Lagos State on Tuesday, while also reaffirming the Lagos State chapter’s endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

Addressing party members at the forum, the former Senate spokesperson insisted that the opposition’s claim that the APC is plotting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state is misleading and politically motivated. According to him, if members of the public freely choose to elect only APC candidates, it remains a legitimate reflection of democratic choice rather than evidence of authoritarian tendencies.

“Some people are trying to gaslight our party, saying that we are moving towards a one-party state in Nigeria, and at the same time, they said they want to chase our leader out of Aso Rock Villa. This is mutually contradictory,” Bashiru said. He argued that democracy allows citizens to elect leaders of their choice, and if the majority of voters decide to support one political party, that outcome should be respected as part of the democratic process.

He further declared that there is nothing wrong if all the 109 senators, 360 members of the House of Representatives, and every state assembly seat in the country are occupied by APC members. “We should not allow anybody to gaslight us. Let it be that all the seats in the Senate are members of the APC; 360 should be APC; all the State Houses of Assembly should be APC. It’s part of democracy,” he asserted, drawing loud applause from the crowd.

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Mobilization and Consolidation of APC’s Political Strength

Bashiru urged party faithful across the nation to intensify grassroots mobilization and political awareness campaigns to ensure APC’s continued dominance in Nigerian politics. He emphasized that party unity, consistent voter engagement, and effective political communication are critical for consolidating APC’s control at both federal and state levels.

According to him, the APC’s political achievements under President Tinubu’s administration have strengthened its standing among Nigerians, especially in areas of governance reform, infrastructure development, and economic recovery. He noted that the opposition’s fear of a one-party system stemmed from the APC’s growing popularity and capacity to attract new members from rival political parties.

“We must continue to mobilize, conscientize, sensitize, and ensure that the APC remains the bulwark for electoral victory in all elections. It is not our fault that people are choosing the APC. It only shows that Nigerians believe in our vision, and we must not be apologetic about our success,” Bashiru added.

The party secretary also described as hypocritical the accusations from opposition groups alleging that the APC was using state power to suppress political pluralism. He maintained that the ruling party’s rise to prominence was through democratic elections, not coercion. “No one is stopping any party from contesting. If Nigerians choose to vote massively for APC, that’s democracy at work. The people have the right to choose, and the outcome of that choice cannot be termed dictatorship,” he said.

Opposition Concerns and Public Reactions

Bashiru’s remarks come amid renewed debate about the health of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy following recent defections of several governors and lawmakers from opposition parties to the APC. Critics have warned that the trend could weaken political competition and accountability, turning Nigeria into a de facto one-party system. However, Bashiru dismissed those concerns as baseless, asserting that the opposition’s decline was self-inflicted due to internal disunity and lack of credible leadership.

Political observers note that Bashiru’s comments reflect the APC’s growing confidence ahead of future elections, including the 2027 presidential race. The party has been consolidating its influence across regions, winning several off-cycle elections and attracting defections from high-profile politicians who seek alignment with the federal administration.

During the stakeholders’ meeting, several APC leaders echoed Bashiru’s sentiment, describing the party’s dominance as a reward for performance rather than political manipulation. They argued that the Tinubu administration’s policies—particularly in areas such as infrastructure, digital economy, and fiscal reforms—are gradually restoring public trust in governance.

Party leaders in Lagos also used the occasion to reaffirm their support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, praising his leadership and vision. They vowed to deliver overwhelming victories for APC candidates in upcoming elections, citing Lagos as the “political heartbeat of progressive governance” in Nigeria.

A Call for Internal Unity and Discipline

While celebrating the party’s growing strength, Bashiru also called for unity among members to prevent internal disputes from undermining progress. He reminded stakeholders that political dominance could only be sustained through discipline, transparency, and respect for party structures. “Our major challenge is not the opposition—it’s internal division. We must remain one family under one leader. Let us remember that the APC’s biggest strength lies in its unity,” he urged.

He concluded by stressing that democracy thrives when citizens actively participate and make informed choices, emphasizing that the APC must continue to prove its worth through performance and service delivery. “Democracy is not about how many parties exist; it’s about giving people the freedom to choose. If Nigerians continue to choose APC, it means we are doing something right,” he stated.

Bashiru’s bold defense of one-party dominance has sparked debate among political analysts, with some interpreting it as confidence in APC’s grassroots strength and others viewing it as a potential threat to Nigeria’s democratic pluralism. Nonetheless, his message underscored the ruling party’s determination to consolidate its control ahead of the next general elections.