Former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Babamosi Babangida, IBB, has asserted that Nigerians won’t accept a one-party state because it would lead to dictatorship.
Babangida said a two-party system would best suit Nigeria because it would prevent rancour and save the country from the wastage of funds associated with a multi-party system.
His remark comes after the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar expressed interest in leading a coalition against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
This was as a political economist, Prof Pat Utomi, disclosed engaging Atiku, presidential candidates of Labour Party, Peter Obi, and New Nigeria People’s Party Rabiu Kwankwaso to form a new political party.
Utomi said the new political party would stand as a formidable force against Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
However, featuring on Channels TV’s Inside Sources with former spokesman to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande, Babangida said: “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.
“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.”
