Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd) has explained why he refused to align any political party in Nigeria.
Gowon, 90, announced on Wednesday, November 27, in Abuja while receiving the League of Northern Democrats (LND), which former Kano State governor Senator Ibrahim Shekarau leads.
The elder statesman emphasised his patriotism for Nigeria, citing his military background as a driving force for his commitment to serving the country.
“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.”
The former Head of State argued that the North had to make sacrifices to alleviate fears of one region’s dominance, especially considering its size and population. He stated that the idea emerged from prolonged consultations with political leaders, chiefs, and diverse groups.
At the time, he stated widespread concern in the South about the North’s dominance, which nearly led to calls for independence from all regions—west, east, and even the North.
“If we had allowed it, what would we call ourselves today? We might have ended up with separate nations—Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, or otherwise. I hesitate to say more, as I might risk offending someone here.”
Gowon expressed sadness at the current challenges facing the North, such as the rise of groups like the Lukurawa from Mali, claiming that their activities have further exacerbated the region’s woes.
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Gen. Gowon led Nigeria as a military commander for nine years, from 1966 to 1975, before being deposed by a military junta.
