Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), has explained why he has chosen not to align with any political party in Nigeria.
During a meeting with the League of Northern Democrats (LND) led by former Kano State governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, in Abuja on Wednesday, the 90-year-old elder statesman emphasized that his sole allegiance is to Nigeria.
He attributed this stance to his military background, which instilled in him a commitment to serving the country above all else.
Gowon encouraged others to look beyond regional interests and focus on the nation as a whole, noting that while differences in opinion are natural, they should not hinder Nigerians from working together for the country’s benefit.
He stated, “I’ve always believed in taking the best from all ideologies, be it socialism, capitalism, or others, and applying them for the greater good. During my time in government, we valued diverse perspectives, but decisions were always made in the interest of the people and the nation.”
He expressed hope that the LND’s mission was not about reverting to old regional priorities but rather about serving the greater interest of Nigeria. Gowon supported the creation of multiple states to prevent any one region from becoming too powerful and threatening national unity.
He explained that the north had to make sacrifices to address fears of domination by one region, especially given its size and population, a perspective born from extensive discussions with political leaders, chiefs, and various groups.
Gowon recalled that there was significant anxiety from the south about northern dominance, which nearly led to calls for secession from all regions. His advocacy for state creation aimed to prevent the nation’s fragmentation.
He remarked, “If we had allowed it, what would we call ourselves today? We might have ended up with separate nations—whether Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, or otherwise. I hesitate to say more, as I might risk offending someone here.”
He highlighted that Nigeria’s population and diversity are strengths and that unity despite differences can help build the Nigeria everyone envisions. Gowon also expressed sadness over the challenges currently facing the north, such as the emergence of groups like the Lukurawa from Mali, which have created more problems for the region.
Gen. Gowon ruled Nigeria as a military leader for nine years, from 1966 to 1975, before being ousted by a military junta.
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