They have been numerous debates about making Nigeria a two party state by fiat or through legislation instead of allowing two strong political parties to gradually emerge through democratic process. The proponent of two party system have repeatedly argued that it will curtail religious, ethnic, political and social divide in Nigeria. Proponents further argues that the two-party system will provide stability during political campaigns and subsequent elections. Former Nigeria military president, General Ibrahim Babangida is the chief proponent of the two party system. He even went on to create and impose a two party state in Nigeria before he was overthrown in a military coup. Another argument advanced by the proponent of the two party system is that two party will be easier for the Independent Electoral Commission and state electoral bodies to manage. There is no question that the logistics involved in conducting election will be much easier under the two-party system.
One issue that has been over looked is that multi-party system in Nigeria has in a way curtailed political violence during and after political campaigns and subsequent elections. An average Nigerian thinks that they are more popular than the actual number shows which accounts for the reason why loser of elections in Nigeria rarely accept election results. In a country without reliable poll, there is no barometer to measure popularity of candidates vying for political offices.
What multi-party system has done so far in Nigeria is that it has provided political platforms to politicians, which they now use to test their popularity with Nigeria voters. It is a known fact that political parties in Nigeria was not formed around particular ideology, but are generally personality driven. Some politicians who lost election for various political offices in their party primaries quickly decamp to other smaller parties and got nomination for the same offices they contested for and lost in their former parties. One can be assured that most of these politicians will quietly go back to their former party after winning or losing the coming general election.
Former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao Akala who lost re-election under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is now running for governor under Accord Party after losing out in PDP primary last year. Former minister of Information under President Jonathan dumped PDP after losing PDP gubernatorial primary and joined All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) party where he became Nasarawa gubernatorial candidate under APGA. Other aspirants for various offices have decamped from one party to join another when they do not get their way. The negative impact of their disloyalty and lack of allegiance is that it will hurt the candidate of the party they left because they will siphon vote away from the candidate of their former thereby paving the way for the opposition to win.
If these political opportunistic do not have the opportunity to secure a platform from other political parties to compete, they may feel that they have no stake in the election thereby have nothing to lose which may tempt them to engage in do-or-die politics during primaries, which may cause political violence and rigging, which could lead to instability and military coup as we have seen in the past.
Imposition of two-party system in Nigeria by fiat should be discouraged since it will provide a fertile ground for political violence which will not auger well for Nigeria democracy. Multi-party system offers all politicians the platform and the opportunity to test their popularity, integrity, character, knowledge and electability before Nigeria voters who will make the final decision on their faith.