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.
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“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.
