Former President Goodluck Jonathan has identified the lack of unity as the greatest challenge facing Nigeria’s political landscape, saying that genuine development will remain unattainable unless this issue is addressed.
Jonathan made the statement yesterday in Effurun, Delta State, where he served as chairman at the Wellmann Group Colloquium.
The former president noted that, despite Nigeria’s geographical and ecological diversity, the benefits of unity should have been evident after over 100 years of amalgamation.
“There must be a reason why these two parts, the rainforest area and the savannah, were brought together to form a better country. But now, this has created a nation of vast diversity – in people, religion, and culture,” he said.
However, he lamented that, despite these diverse elements, the country has not achieved the unity necessary for progress.
The former president also criticized lawmakers in the National Assembly for prioritizing their ethnic affiliations over the collective good of the nation. He argued that federal lawmakers should represent the entire country, not just their ethnic groups.
“Federal lawmakers must downplay this issue of my people and begin to take the whole country as your people,” he said, urging the need to transcend ethnic boundaries for national cohesion.
Jonathan further emphasized that although Nigeria possesses the traits of a nation, the crucial element of unity remains absent.
“We are more loyal to our ethnic nationalities than to the nation itself,” he said. He pointed out that while other countries with diverse ethnic groups have managed to build a unified nation, Nigeria still struggles with weak national boundaries.
According to Jonathan, the responsibility for fostering unity lies not only with the federal government but also with state and local leaders. He advocated for policies that go beyond political gains, urging leaders to appoint individuals based on equitable considerations that promote national unity.
Recalling his experience, he shared that he ensured every geopolitical zone was represented when making appointments, a strategy he believes helped strengthen national cohesion.
In his closing remarks, Jonathan said that overcoming ethnic divisions must come before tackling broader national issues, including development. He concluded, “As long as we continue to see ourselves as separate ethnic groups, it will be difficult for us to develop this country.”
