Former President Goodluck Jonathan has asserted that Nigeria’s founding fathers, who secured the nation’s independence, should be held accountable for their inadequate efforts in nation-building.
During his address at a national dialogue and the public launch of 21 books commemorating Prof. Udenta Udenta’s 60th birthday in Abuja on September 5th, Jonathan argued that Nigerian founding fathers placed more emphasis on ethnic and identity politics than on the unification and development of Nigeria as a coherent nation.
Jonathan remarked, “Have we managed to determine whether we are a state or a nation? If we consider ourselves a country and a state, how do we transition into a nation?
“I am not placing blame on our founding fathers, but they failed to integrate us into a proper nation. They functioned as individuals, and so forth. Certainly, if you examine the statements of some of our former leaders, such as (Obafemi) Awolowo, it is evident that they believed there was no entity known as Nigeria. It was a geographical entity, a country, a state with laws, but it lacked a sense of nationhood.
“The country was significantly divided, particularly during the early formation of political parties, which were predominantly regional. There was no commitment to the goal of moulding Nigeria into an entity characterised by shared values, a common philosophy, and citizens’ patriotism towards that nation.
“Most of the parties at the time were regionally oriented, and there were no coalitions formed with the intention of governing the entire country.
“When I compare Nigeria to a country like Tanzania, I sense that Julius Nyerere clearly articulated his vision to transform Tanzania into a nation. While they have different tribes, perhaps not as numerous as Nigeria, their focus was on being one nation at the forefront of their aspirations.”