BY Juliana MAIRIGA, Minna
Former Military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida has restated that the two party system of goverrnment is still and remains the best option for Nigeria as it provides a platform for people to choose those they want to represent them in government.
Babangida said this when he received the strategy and inter party affairs committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chaired by Professor Jerry Gana at his Uphill residence in Minna, Niger state.
“In 1999, when I was advocating for a two party system, some of my colleagues came to me asking why I am for a two party system and I told them the good thing about a two party system is that it provides a choice, which is the whole essence of democracy.”
Babangida then expressed his belief that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can rule for 60 years if they can put their house in order adding that it is the only political party whose presence have been felt, known and accepted by the people in the country.
“PDP presence is felt not only in Abuja or Lagos but down to the lowest level, if you go to the grassroots, the ordinary man will talk about PDP that is the asset the party have and can use to come back on board. Already it is accepted and known and all you have to do is to work on this.”
Earlier, the leader of the strategy and interparty affair committee, Professor Jerry Gana called the former military leader a visionary who saw ahead of the politics of Nigeria by advocating for a two party system, “if only Nigerians had accepted your move for a two party system, we would have gone far now because gradually, the nation is moving towards a two party system.”
Gana called on the All Progressives Congress led government to stop hindering the growth and development of political parties of the state stressing on the need to allow a healthy opposition.
“In a democracy, it is healthy to allow political parties to develop. PDP is not a nuisance to the people, we are not a threat, we are very essential partner to government, we offer alternatives that will allow the people the right to choose. We want to be allowed to play a formidable opposition.”
Gana was accompanied by Ambassador Aminu Wali, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Chief Tom Ikimi, Engineer Jide Adeniji, Alhaji Mohammed Imam, Honorable Emeka Ihedioha, Professor Rufai Alkali, Abubakar Tanko, former Governor Babangida Aliyu and members of the Niger state PDP executives.
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