Former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, has stated that Nigerians would not accept a one-party state as it would lead to dictatorship.
He believes that a two-party system would be more suitable for Nigeria as it would prevent conflicts and save the country from the financial waste associated with a multi-party system.
Babangida’s statement comes after Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed his interest in leading a coalition against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
In response, political economist Prof Pat Utomi revealed that he has been in discussions with Atiku, as well as the presidential candidates of the Labour Party and the New Nigeria People’s Party, to form a new political party. The new party would serve as a strong opposition to Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During an interview on Channels TV’s Inside Sources, Babangida emphasized that Nigerians would not tolerate a one-party state. Drawing from his experience in the military, he stated that dictatorship is not beneficial for a civil society.
“Nigerians who I know won’t allow a one-party system and will talk you out of it until you get tired.
“Immediately after independence, Nigeria tended to gravitate towards a two-party system. The number of parties formed a coalition to gain power. It happened in the first and second republics. It showed up again in the third republic and the current republic.
“At the time, we believed Nigerians were capable of a two-party system because it saves you a lot of ‘wahala’ and no rancour. You can choose from A or B.”
