Former President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned against the unchecked pursuit of a one-party political system, warning that such a transition, if ever deemed necessary, must be guided by deliberate planning, clear objectives, and national consensus.
Jonathan made the remarks in Abuja on Wednesday during a memorial lecture and day of tribute in honour of the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark. Reflecting on the state of the nation, he warned that attempts to engineer a one-party state through political maneuvering or personal ambition risk undermining the foundations of Nigeria’s democracy.
He further urged the family of the late federal commissioner to institutionalize an annual memorial lecture in Clark’s name — a platform, he said, that could help preserve and promote the statesman’s enduring vision for a unified, just, and prosperous Nigeria.
On his part, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, lamented that the labour of our heroes past was already in vain.
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Former Anambra State Governor expressed deep concern over the persistent hardships facing rural communities, citing rampant poverty, escalating insecurity, and the unrelenting rise in the cost of living as indicators of national decline.
He lamented that the vision and sacrifices of elder statesmen like Pa Edwin Clark have yet to bear meaningful fruit, suggesting that the ideals they championed have been overshadowed by the current realities.
Presiding over the occasion, former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon emphasized that preserving Nigeria’s unity and indivisibility is a shared responsibility. He asserted that true national progress can only be achieved when the collective good is prioritized above individual ambition.