Former Nigerian Military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), has publicly expressed support for restructuring of Nigeria, two party system and acceptance of independent candidates in Nigerian elections.
“I believe in restructuring, devolution of powers to the states to give them more powers and that means you are going to give them more resources to run their own affairs so that we run a federal government the way federation is run all over the world,” he said in an interview on Channels Television’s Inside Sources.
Babangida, who governed Nigeria as a strong Military President for eight years also said he believes military will no longer interfere with Nigerian civilian democracy, stating that military interference “robbed Nigeria off true federalism.”
On the possibility that under the All Progressive Congress-led Federal Government, Nigeria may become a one party state, Babangida warned that Nigerians he knows will never allow a one-party State.
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 dictatorship can’t survive in a civil society.
“The Nigerians I know will not allow it,” says the former military strongman. Instead of scheming for one party State, Babangida advocated for a two-party state. He also suggested approval of independent candidates in Nigerian electoral system. General Babangida said: “One can contest as an independent candidate if the person is strong enough to get supporters.”
Source: Channels Television
