Former President Goodluck Jonathan has issued a stern warning against any attempts to manipulate the political system in Nigeria towards a one-party state, stating that such actions would suffocate the country and could potentially lead to confusion and anarchy.
Jonathan made this statement in Abuja on Wednesday during the Memorial Lecture and Day of Tribute for the late Chief Edwin Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader. He expressed concern about the ongoing political shifts, particularly the mass defections from opposition parties—People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former President acknowledged that while a one-party state was used by some leaders, such as Julius Nyerere in Tanzania, to unite the country, such a system must follow a systematic and procedural approach. He emphasized that the imposition of such a system through political manipulation would be detrimental to Nigeria’s democracy.
“If a one-party state is to be desirable for Nigeria, the process must be thorough, systemic, and not the result of political manipulation,” Jonathan said. “Any attempt to impose such a system through the back door will only suffocate the nation.”
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In his tribute to Chief Clark, whom he described as a father figure, Jonathan reflected on Clark’s legacy of courage, wisdom, and unmatched memory. He remarked that replacing Clark would be impossible due to his unique personality and his fearless readiness to confront any challenges.
Jonathan’s comments come at a time when defections within the opposition parties are raising concerns about the state of Nigeria’s political landscape.
The former President called for a more careful, deliberate approach to any political shifts in the country, warning that the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy must not be compromised.