Why Two-Party System Is Best For Nigeria – Babangida

A former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has said a two-party state is best for the country’s democracy.

Babangida, popularly known as IBB, said this on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Inside Sources with Laolu Akande.

The former military leader, who ruled Nigeria between 1985 and 1993, stated that a two-party system would save the country a lot of money and problems associated with a multi-party state.

Babangida also asserted that Nigeria may be heading to a one-party state, saying that Nigerians will not allow that to happen.

He 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 a dictatorship can’t survive in a civil society.

“The Nigerians I know will not allow it; they will talk you out of it. You can say okay, I don’t want and forget about it.

“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.”

Babangida equally suggested that in additional to two major political parties, independent candidates could also be allowed to contest for political offices.

“One can contest as an independent candidate if the person is strong enough to get supporters,” he added.