Goodluck Jonathan, a former president, has expressed worries about the possible risks of establishing a one-party state and advised any nation thinking about doing so to proceed with cautious preparation, vision, and specific goals.
According to reports, Jonathan made the comments on Wednesday in Abuja during a memorial lecture and day of tribute honoring the late elder statesman Edwin Clark.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jonathan cautioned that the country would suffer from any attempt to install a one-party state through political ploys intended just to further individual goals.
He emphasized that such initiatives can cause instability and impede the advancement of the country.
Jonathan urged the creation of an annual memorial lecture in Pa Edwin Clark’s honor as part of his homage. He exhorted Clark’s family to carry on promoting the late elder statesman’s vision of a wealthy, equitable, and united Nigeria.
Jonathan emphasized that the principles that should be upheld in Clark’s memory are equity and national unity, which were at the heart of his work.
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Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential contender, lamented that the sacrifices made by historical figures like Pa Edwin Clark had not paid off and expressed sadness over the country’s current situation.
Obi also out that the inability to capitalize on the efforts and sacrifices of previous presidents was demonstrated by the continued poverty in rural regions, the rise in insecurity, and the rising cost of living.
He emphasized that if the country did not solve these urgent challenges, the labor of these heroes could be made meaningless.
Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, who chaired the event, emphasized the value of maintaining national unity in order to secure Nigeria’s advancement.
He emphasized that only by prioritizing the national interest over individual interests could the country advance. The determination to keep Nigeria strong and united was reflected in Gowon’s remarks.
