Nigeria Is Greater Than Any Political Party” – Jonathan Warns Politicians

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerian politicians to prioritise national interest over party loyalty and sectional considerations, warning that ethnic, religious and regional divisions remain obstacles to the country’s political development.

Jonathan made the call on Tuesday at the fifth National Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria in Abuja. He was represented at the event by Bala Ngilari, a former Deputy Governor of Adamawa State.

According to remarks delivered on his behalf, the former president stressed the importance of national unity, strong democratic institutions and inclusive governance, urging political leaders to embrace competence, integrity and accountability.

He identified divisions along ethnic, religious and regional lines as major challenges to Nigeria’s political progress and called on politicians to rise above such differences in the interest of national development.

Jonathan emphasised that the country’s interests must take precedence over political parties, individuals and sectional groups, maintaining that unity and responsible leadership were essential to building a stable and prosperous nation.

Reflecting on his experience in public service, from serving as deputy governor and governor of Bayelsa State to becoming vice-president and president, Jonathan highlighted the importance of consultation, teamwork and effective institutions in governance.

He also urged former deputy governors to maintain cordial relationships with serving governors, mentor younger politicians and discourage practices that deepen political divisions.

The former president reminded former public office holders that political positions were temporary, but the decisions they made could have lasting consequences for future generations. He encouraged them to guide emerging leaders towards integrity, accountability and responsible leadership.

Jonathan expressed confidence in Nigeria’s future, pointing to the resilience and creativity of its citizens, particularly young people. However, he stressed the need to create opportunities that would enable young Nigerians to work, innovate and achieve their potential.

Also speaking at the conference, former Kano State Governor and immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, called on Nigerians to embrace the country’s diversity and strengthen their shared national identity.

Ganduje reflected on Nigeria’s colonial history and the role of nationalist leaders in the struggle for independence, noting that ethnic considerations later influenced the formation and activities of several political parties after independence.

He urged Nigerians to learn from the country’s political history and view diversity as a strength rather than a source of division.

The former governor also raised concerns about the effectiveness of democratic institutions, including the judiciary, and questioned how meaningful judicial reforms could be achieved.

Ganduje further criticised the lack of continuity between successive administrations, observing that disagreements between outgoing and incoming governors often led to the abandonment or reversal of ongoing projects.

He noted that such disruptions sometimes occurred even when the administrations involved belonged to the same political party, undermining development efforts and the delivery of public services.

He also called for greater recognition of the role played by deputy governors in state administration, arguing that their contributions to governance should not be overlooked.

In his remarks, former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa expressed concern that the growing gap between government policies and the everyday experiences of citizens had weakened public confidence in leadership.

Okowa maintained that nation-building required a social contract based on accountability, inclusion and shared responsibility. He added that many Nigerians felt disconnected from government because their expectations and aspirations were not being adequately addressed.