ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's former military leader Ibrahim Babangida, who ruled Africa's most populous country from 1985-1993, plans to run for president in next year's election, his spokesman said on Monday.

"Yes, General Babangida has decided to contest for the presidency under the (People's Democratic Party) in the 2011 presidential election," spokesman Kassim Afeagbu told Reuters.

"He is only waiting for the party timetable before he will formally declare."

Babangida seized power in August 1985 in a bloodless coup, ruling the OPEC member nation for nearly eight years before stepping down in June 1993.

Babangida was forced from power after cancelling an election generally regarded as fair, paving the way for another army dictator, Sani Abacha, to take over.