By: The People’s Insight
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has issued a stern warning over Nigeria’s potential drift toward a one-party state, cautioning that such a development—if driven by political manipulation—could trigger national instability.
Speaking during a memorial lecture in honor of the late elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark, Jonathan emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced political landscape. He acknowledged that while some countries have successfully operated under one-party systems, Nigeria’s diverse and complex makeup demands a more inclusive and deliberate approach to governance.
“If we must, as a nation, adopt a one-party system, then it must be designed and planned by experts—we must fully understand what we are getting into,” Jonathan stated. “But if we arrive at it through the back door by political manipulations, then we are heading for crisis.”
His comments come amid growing concerns over a wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which many view as a subtle consolidation of power that undermines democratic competition.
Citing historical precedent, Jonathan referenced Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, who used a one-party framework to stabilize his country post-independence. However, he noted that such a system was intentionally crafted—not a product of political coercion or opportunism.
“One-party states have worked in some countries. A one-party system may not be inherently bad,” he said. “But those systems were properly designed, not stumbled upon by accident or selfish manipulation.”
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Meanwhile, the APC has denied any agenda to eliminate political plurality. Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule dismissed the allegations, asserting that the party’s goal is merely to remain electorally dominant, not to establish a one-party regime.
As political tension simmers and opposition voices raise concerns, Jonathan’s warning serves as a sobering reminder of the fragile balance required to sustain Nigeria’s democracy.
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