Former president, Goodluck Jonathan, has issued a stark warning that the increasing reliance on ethnic politics in Nigeria poses a significant threat to the country’s unity and democracy.
Speaking on Tuesday at the 25th Democracy Day Public Lecture, held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, former president Jonathan cautioned that the emphasis on ethnic and religious sentiments in politics could lead to the downfall of the country.
He also lamented the level of rancour that follow elections in the country, leading to high volumes of litigations every election season, describing the situation as embarrassing.
He advised the Tinubu administration to ensure that the politics of the next 25 years is transformative and inclusive, saying that there must be a determined effort to dilute politics of region and religion.
“Let us ensure that the next 25 years of our democracy are even more transformative and inclusive and more prosperous for all of us.
“In line with the wordings of our national anthem, I think the second stanza, to hand over to our children a banner without stain.
“We must not hand over to our children a democracy built on politics of religion or religion. A democracy built on ethnicity does not endure. It will continue to wobble.
“So for the honorable Vice President, you are representing also the President, for me, we are hoping that you will build more infrastructure for us, improve the quality of education, health facilities, etc, etc.
“But one key thing that for the next 25 years, you will midwife because you are starting the next 25 years, is to build a democracy that will reduce friction.
“The avalanche of litigations that follow every round of election in Nigeria is very embarrassing and because of the kind of democracy we practice, democracy built on all kinds of sentiments, either the way you worship your God or from the map of the country you come from.
“You people have to gradually make sure that in the next 25 years this is diluted if we must have a solid and enduring democracy.
“And I know you and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was a key actor in the June 12 crisis will have the capacity to navigate through that process.
“I believe this programme and others commemorating this landmark will point the way to that glorious vision, and prepare the nation for a golden time centenary celebrations of enduring democracy”, he said.
Dr Jonathan also sounded a warning that the prevailing winners-take-all approach to politics in Nigeria poses a significant threat to unity and political justice.
He urged the National Assembly to adopt a more inclusive model of democracy that rewards political parties with a certain percentage of votes with a role in governance.
He cautioned that the current zero-sum practice, where a winning party takes all, fosters do-or-die politics and undermines social cohesion.
As I round off, let me say that we need to come up with a model of democratic practice. That will be more inclusive and reinforces social cohesion. The zero-sum kind of politics, where a winner takes it all, has not helped to foster unity and political justice.
“A political party, for example, that scored up to 30% of votes during an election, either at the national or sub-national level, should have something to go home with. I’m not clearly recommending proportional my representation, but different governments come up with models of democracy that suits them.
“After all, the presidents of the we’re talking about all presidents of the world don’t emerge through the same process. In Nigeria, we elect our president directly. In a number of countries, presidents are elected indirectly.
“The powers of the presence as defined by different constitutions and so on and so forth.
“So our national assembly can also look at models that will suit us.
The zero sum that where a party that a party that even sometimes get 40% of votes especially at the state levels will have nothing, gives rise to this Do or Die politics.
“That zero sum approach, I think it’s inimical to consolidating and strengthening our democracy.
“Let me conclude by saying that together, we can forge a Nigeria where every citizen has a voice, where opportunities abound, where the promise of a better tomorrow is not just a dream but a tangible reality.
“Let us therefore celebrate this milestone with pride and renewed determination”, he said.
