A Critique of Nigeria's Proposed Two-Party System

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Periodical article

Title:	A Critique of Nigeria's Proposed Two-Party System
Author:	Akinola, Anthony A.
Year:	1989
Periodical:	Journal of Modern African Studies
Volume:	27
Issue:	1
Period:	March
Pages:	109-123
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	multiparty systems Politics and Government
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/161357
Abstract:	One of the most controversial proposals of Nigeria's Political Bureau, which was inaugurated shortly after Babangida had assumed office as Head of State in 1985, was that the number of political parties should be limited to two in order to ensure that Nigeria's future policies would be based on principles and not ethnicity. This article examines the proposed two-party system within the context of definition and general theories. It argues that such an arrangement may exacerbate rather than 'trim down the sharp edges of ethnic, religious and regional viciousness', as optimistically assumed. Apart from the existence of no less than 250 different languages, the problems of integration go beyond such heterogeneity, because the three dominant ethnic groups - Ibo, Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani - are each geographically exclusive and greater in number than most other African national populations. And with the possibility of a Christian challenging a Muslim for the office of President, the stage could also be set for a show of strength between two antagonistic religions. Notes, ref.