Former Plateau State governor and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Simon Lalong, has dismissed claims that Nigeria is gradually turning into a one-party state under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during an interview with Nigerian Tribune, Lalong said Nigerians are free to belong to any political party and no politician is being forced to join the APC.
According to him, similar accusations were made in the past when many politicians moved into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He said democracy allows politicians to make personal decisions about their political future.
Lalong stated that President Bola Tinubu believes in democracy and has never shown interest in making Nigeria a one-party country.
He added that political parties are responsible for managing their internal issues and should not blame the APC when members decide to leave.
The senator said several political parties are still active in the country despite the growing number of defections into the APC. He pointed to parties such as the PDP, ADC, NDC, APM, SDP and YPP, saying some of them have continued to attract members and even won seats in previous elections.
He explained that many politicians usually defect during election periods because they are focused on their ambitions and political survival. He added that defections are common in Nigerian politics and should not be seen as proof that the country is heading toward a single-party system.
He said: “I have always said I do not believe the president wants a one-party state. I know him well enough. In his budget speeches both last year and this year, he emphasised that he is a democrat. Democracy gives people the freedom to join any political party. But it does not require me, as a member of one party, to fix problems in another party. You are responsible for managing your party; I am responsible for mine.
“However, if people in another party face turbulence and ask for help, if they want to move to a more stable environment, I can provide that opportunity. That is what is happening. No one is forcing anyone to leave their party. Even governors are not being forced. Everyone has the right to decide. Some simply see their colleagues moving and decide to follow. Even today, someone left one party for another, while others are forming new parties.”
