Nigerians Won’t Allow One-Party State – Babangida tells Inside Sources’

Former Nigerian Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, says Nigerians won’t allow a one-party state. The ex-military leader made this known on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande aired on Channels Television on Friday. “I have been in a military regime and the Nigerians I know won’t allow a one-party state,” he said. “I have […]

Former Nigerian Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, says Nigerians won’t allow a one-party state.

The ex-military leader made this known on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande aired on Channels Television on Friday.

“I have been in a military regime and the Nigerians I know won’t allow a one-party state,” he said.

“I have been a military man and I know dictatorship can survive in a civil society.”

Babangida advocated a two-party state, saying that it would save Nigeria a lot of funds and problems associated with a multi-party state.

He also suggested that aside two dominant parties, independent candidates can be allowed. “Then you can contest as an independent candidate if you are strong to get people to support you, no problem,” he said.

Currently, 19 political parties are registered and operational in Nigeria, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had plans to make Nigeria a one-party state but the ruling APC had said the claim was untrue.

Speaking on the programme, Babangida ruled out a one-party state in Nigeria, saying that the people of the country would resist it.

The retired military general also advocated restructuring and fiscal federalism between the central, sub-regional and local entities.

He believed that restructuring would make the sub-federating units give their best as independent entities.

Babangida also threw his weight behind state police, saying that it would guarantee the security of lives and properties in each state as the people know themselves and are able to fish out infiltrators.

The octogenarian, who was Nigerian head of state between August 1985 and August 1983, said the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit also known as petrol by the President Bola Tinubu administration was a step in the right direction.

He, however, advised that the government must engage more with the people on the benefits of the new policy and ensure that palliatives go around to cushion the biting economic effects of the policy.

‘How Govt Can Tackle Japa’

On the massive exodus of Nigerian professionals overseas in a phenomenon known as ‘Japa’, the retired military general said an enabling environment should be created so that youths would be “very motivated to work for the country”.

“Nigerians are doing very well in all professions so we have to create an environment that is suitable for Nigerians to practice in the country,” he said.

Babangida said the government should create a body to address the crisis, saying that such body should convoke a form of conference where the needs and pains of migrating youths would be address in other for them to stay in Nigeria.