Former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has dismissed suggestions that Nigerians will accept a one-party state.
Babaginda, who was Head of State between 1985 and 1993, claimed that a one-party state tends to lead to dictatorship.
He made this known on Friday during an appearance on Channels TV’s Inside Sources with Laolu Akande.
His words: “I have been in a military regime, and the Nigerians I know won’t allow a one-party state. I have been a military man, and I know dictatorship is not good and can’t be good in 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.”
IBB also reiterated his call for a two-party system, stating that it prevents rancour and will save the country a lot of funds and issues associated with a multi-party system.
He said: “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.”
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), there are 19 registered political parties in the country.
