ABUJA, NIGERIA – Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned against efforts to transform Nigeria into a one-party state, warning that such political manipulation could destabilize the country’s fragile democracy.
Speaking at a memorial lecture in honor of the late nationalist Chief Edwin Clark, Jonathan acknowledged that some nations have successfully implemented one-party systems under unique historical and social conditions. However, he stressed that Nigeria’s ethnic, religious, and political diversity requires a more inclusive and carefully structured democratic framework.
Jonathan cited Tanzania’s first president, Julius Nyerere, as an example of a leader who used a one-party system to stabilize his country in its early years. However, he emphasized that such a system must be deliberately planned rather than imposed through political maneuvering.
“If Nigeria were to adopt a one-party system, it must be designed by experts with a clear vision,” Jonathan stated. “But if we arrive at it through the back door by political manipulations, then we are heading for crisis.”
The former president reaffirmed his belief that multiparty democracy, despite its challenges, remains the best option for Nigeria’s diverse population. His remarks come amid growing concerns over political defections and allegations of systemic efforts to weaken opposition parties in the country.
