Former Military President Gowon, Peter Obi, other leaders meet in Abuja As Jonathan warns against one-party system

Former Military President Gowon, Peter Obi, other leaders meet in Abuja As Jonathan warns against one-party system

 

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has issued a stern warning against the push for a one-party political system in Nigeria, cautioning that such a move could jeopardize the nation’s democratic fabric and unity.

 

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Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja during a memorial lecture honoring the late elder statesman Pa Edwin Clark, Jonathan emphasized that any transition toward a single-party system must be driven by a well-defined vision and thorough planning—not political manipulation for personal gain.

 

“Any nation that seeks to implement a one-party system must do so with a clearly defined process and goals,” Jonathan said. “When the intent is driven by selfish interests rather than national unity, it is the country that suffers.”

 

He urged politicians and stakeholders to uphold democratic values and resist the temptation to consolidate power under one political umbrella.

 

Jonathan also encouraged the Clark family to establish an annual lecture series to preserve the late statesman’s legacy of advocating for unity, equity, and prosperity in Nigeria.

 

Also present at the event, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi echoed Jonathan’s concerns, lamenting that the struggles of Nigeria’s founding heroes were being eroded by present challenges.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, cited rampant rural poverty, insecurity, and the soaring cost of living as indicators that the country has drifted from the vision of leaders like Pa Clark.

 

“The sacrifices of our forebears have not translated into the kind of progress they envisioned,” Obi remarked. “We must redirect our efforts toward justice, development, and inclusion.”

 

General Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State and chairman of the occasion, added that safeguarding Nigeria’s unity must remain a collective responsibility. He emphasized that sustainable national progress can only be achieved when leaders prioritize the common good over individual ambition.

 

The memorial lecture served as a platform for Nigeria’s past and present leaders to reflect on the nation’s democratic journey and the imperative of preserving its pluralistic identity.