Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday warned that a one-party state would not be good for Nigeria.
He said during a memorial lecture and day of tribute in honour of elder statesman Edwin Clark, that even if that became desirable, it must not be achieved through “political manipulations.”
Jonathan’s caution came against the background of the defections of top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon and ex-Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, also spoke at the event.
Jonathan said: “If one party state has become desirable for the country, the process must be thorough, it must be systemic, not by accident, political manipulations.
“Any form of manipulation that would lead to the imposition of a one-party State on Nigeria will suffocate the country and lead to confusion and anarchy.
“One party state may actually not be an evil after all because the late (Julius) Nyerere of Tanzania used it to stabilise his country.
“It was planned and not by accident. If we come through the back door to do one party through political manipulations, we will be in trouble.
“It will suffocate the country if done through political manipulations and we will be heading for confusion and anarchy.”
The former President described Clark, who until his passage was the leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Development Forum (PANDEF), an umbrella organisation representing the people of the Niger Delta, as his father.
He added that there was no need to look for any replacement for the deceased because of his unique personality.
Jonathan advised that keeping his memory alive through annual lectures would be the best way to immortalise him.
He said, “I am a son of E.K. Clark. To keep Nigeria, one task must be accomplished. It’s difficult to make comments about E. K. Clark.
“You can’t look for a replacement for Clark in the Niger Delta because you won’t get it. We can’t replace E.K in the Niger Delta.”
Gowon, who was chairman of the occasion, said the task of ensuring that Nigeria remained united and indivisible must be ensured by the citizens.
He stated that the country would only make progress if national interest was put before any personal interest.
The former Head of State under whom Clark served as commissioner, described the Late Ijaw National leader as a great statesman.
He said Clark was not only a voice in the Southsouth and the country at large, but a man who believed in one Nigeria and true federalism.
Gowon added that at the time Clark worked with him after the Civil War, he ensured that his 3Rs–Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction– were achieved.
Obi, in his comment, lamented that the labour of ‘our heroes past’ was already in vain.
He lamented poverty in rural areas, the state of insecurity, and the rising cost of living under the APC-led federal administration.
PANDEF Chairman Igali stressed the need for Nigeria to remain one country where unity, equity and Justice served as a guiding principle.
He said those were the ethos of Clark.
Two former Information Ministers– Jerry Gana and John Nwodo, Gen. Ibrahim I. Haruna and PNADEF National Chairman Godknows Igali were among prominent Nigerians who graced the event. Representatives of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Afenifere were also in attendance
