A new set of nonlinear equations governing the dynamics of low-frequency electrostatic drift waves in a self-gravitating electron–positron–ion (e–p–i) magnetoplasma with equilibrium density, temperature, magnetic field and velocity gradients has been derived. It is shown that possible stationary solutions of the nonlinear equations can be represented in the form of dipolar and tripolar vortices of gravitational potential. The results of the present investigation are useful to understand the nonlinear dynamics of low-frequency gravitational-drift waves in laboratory and astrophysical e–p–i magnetoplasmas.