AKURE – Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, has dismissed any possibility of Nigeria becoming a one-party state, saying the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will not succeed in that ambition.
Speaking to reporters at his Ilu-Abo residence in Akure North, Ondo State, Falae pointed to Nigeria’s diversity and political plurality, which he said guarantees freedom of association and party affiliation.
“It will never happen,” he said. “Even in your family, you don’t agree on everything. So how can the whole of Nigeria agree on one party?”
He recalled how the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) once boasted about ruling for 60 years, a dream that eventually collapsed. “All attempts to create a one-party state have failed,” he added.
Falae also reflected on his experience when a non-member became the chairman of his party during PDP’s dominance, warning the APC to learn from history rather than attempt to dominate the political space.
On national security, the elder statesman stressed the importance of local involvement. “Security is a local matter,” he said. “If each locality secures its own territory, the whole nation will be safe.”
He urged the federal government to decentralize security responsibilities, allowing local leaders, traditional rulers, and political figures to work alongside the police and federal agencies.
Falae concluded by emphasizing shared responsibility in ensuring peace and stability across the country.