Former Chief of Staff to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Gambari, has asserted that the idea of a one-party system in Nigeria is unrealistic and bound to fail, largely due to the excessive ambition of the country’s political elite.
Gambari made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking to journalists in Abuja. He explained that he remains unconcerned about the possibility of Nigeria becoming a one-party state, noting that historical evidence and political realities strongly oppose such an outcome.
Currently serving as Chairman of the Board of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), Gambari said political ambitions in Nigeria are too expansive to be confined within a single political platform.
He, however, suggested that stricter rules should be introduced to curb the frequent defection of politicians from one party to another. According to him, in many democratic systems, elected officials who defect from their political parties are required to vacate their positions, since such mandates belong to the party, not the individual.
“On the issue of political parties and fears of a one-party system, I am not worried. Nigeria will not become a one-party state — history makes that very clear,” Gambari stated.
“This is not the first time a ruling party has attempted to dominate the political space. During the First Republic, the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) was dominant, but their actions did not result in unity or development; instead, it plunged the nation into crisis.
“The National Party of Nigeria (NPN) later assumed similar dominance and believed it would remain in power indefinitely, but that ambition collapsed. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) once boasted it would rule for 60 years — today, that claim has proven hollow. Any effort to establish a one-party state in Nigeria will ultimately fail, partly because political elites are too ambitious to operate within one platform,” he said.
Gambari, however, warned against complacency, urging Nigerians to strengthen political party structures to avoid potential instability.
“Rather than wait for chaos to unfold, we must focus on building strong and functional political parties. That is the missing link in our democracy. Many of us consider ourselves elite, yet how many truly belong to political parties, hold membership cards, or attend party meetings? We must become more politically engaged,” he cautioned.
© 2025 Gossip News Now, a division of CHIEJOS HARBIAN DIGITAL MEDIA LTD. Contact us via admin@gossipnewsnow.online
