Former President Goodluck Jonathan on has warned against what he described as the “manipulative attempt at foisting a one-party state” in Nigeria.
Jonathan particularly warned that subtle manipulations and erosion of democratic institutions are clear early warning signs of decline into authoritarian regime, stressing that if a one-party system if driven by manipulation, it could endanger the nation’s democracy.
The former president, who stated these at the memorial lecture held in Abuja in honour of the late elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark, noted the complex ethnic and religious diversity in Nigeria and drew parallels with Tanzania’s early post-independence strategy under Julius Nyerere.
Jonathan said that while Nyerere implemented a one-party system to promote unity, adding that it was deliberately designed and not born out of political convenience or manipulation.
In his words; “If we as a nation must go for a one-party State, then it must be planned and designed by experts to know what we are doing. But, if we come through the back door by political manipulation, then we are heading for a serious crisis.
“Julius Nyerere of Tanzania used a one-party State to stabilise his country during the early time of its independence. He felt that his country, just like Nigeria, had too many tribes and tongues, Christianity and Islam.
“If he allowed many parties, some will tow the path of religion and others along the lines of tribes, and unity will be difficult. It was properly designed and not an accident,” he emphasised.
Jonathan emphasised the importance of maintaining Nigeria’s current multi-party democracy, citing Nigeria’s complexity and the need for inclusive governance.
He said; “Nigeria is a complex country, and we should manage the situation as it is, rather than manipulating it in a way that will suffocate the country to death”.
