Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned against the adoption of a one-party state in the country.
The former leader disclosed that the system may not work for the country unlike other countries which have practised it.
Jonathan spoke on in Abuja, the nation’s capital while delivering a lecture in honour of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.
Pa Clark, the leader of PANDEF the magazine recalls died in February this year, and has been receiving tributes from not a few Nigerians.
Speaking on the state of the nation, Jonathan said some countries have successfully practised one-party system, he however said Nigeria may not be ripe enough, warning that trying to force the system on the country will be dangerous for her fragile democracy.
“Yes, a one-party state may not be evil after all, because Julius Nyerere of Tanzania used a one-party state to stabilise his country in the early days of independence,” Jonathan said.
“He felt that the country, just like Nigeria, had too many tribes and tongues, and two principled religions—Christianity and Islam. If we allow multiple parties, some may follow religious lines, others tribal, and unity will be difficult. But it was properly planned; it was not by accident.
“If we must, as a nation, adopt a one-party system, then it must be designed, planned by experts—and we must know what we are going in for. But if we arrive at it through the back door by political manipulations, then we are heading for crisis.
“Probably, in a country like Nigeria, it’s better we allow the system to stay as it is.
“But if for some reason we must adopt a one-party system, then it should not be accidental. It should not come through political manipulation.”
Jonathan’s remark comes amidst recent fears that some opposition leaders are being forced t joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The magazine reported that dozens of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Labour Party, members have defected to the ruling party recently, with many others gearing up to dump their current party for the APC before the next general election.
In Delta state, for instance, the governor, Sheriff Obovrewori, his deputy, his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa and 21 state House of Assembly members have all defected to the APC from the PDP.
More opposition leaders, including state governors, the magazine learned are set to decamp to the ruling party, in what critics described as a desperate move to survive the political upheaval in the country.
Meanwhile, the ruling APC has dismissed the fear, saying defection is normal in constitutional democracy, denying suggestions that opposition leaders are being forced to join the party.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
