₦airaland Forum

Nigerians Are More Loyal To Their Ethnic Groups Than To Nigeria – Ex-President Jonathan Calls For Unity

The former president emphasised the critical role of leadership at all levels of government, urging leaders to implement policies and projects that promote unity over short-term praise.

Former Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, has stated that Nigerians are more loyal to their ethnic nationalities than to the country which has prevented a collective approach to move Nigeria forward.

Speaking at a forum in Effurun, Delta State, Jonathan disclosed the importance of the federal legislators also seeing themselves as representatives of the entire nation rather than their individual states or ethnic groups.

"You are a member of the Nigerian National Assembly, either the Senate or the House of Representatives. You are not a member of the assembly of your people at the state assembly," Jonathan stated.

"We must begin to take the whole country as our people if we are to get out of this quagmire."

"Nigeria is not the only country with multiple nationalities, but it remains a place where people have yet to see themselves as common citizens of one nation. As long as this persists, genuine development will remain elusive.

"After over 100 years of amalgamation, Nigerians should have recognized the benefits of unity, especially given our geography and ecological diversity," he said.

"Yet, from that time to now, we have failed to develop the sense of unity required to see ourselves as one.

“Currently, the forces pulling us apart are too strong. We must weaken the divisions along ethnic and regional lines and embrace the idea of a united nation.

“We are more loyal to our ethnic groups than to the nation. Nigeria, as it stands, is a collection of small ethnic nationalities, each prioritizing its interests. Over time, the divisions between these groups have only deepened.

“Other countries with diverse nationalities have managed to overcome these barriers, evolving into unified nations. Until we achieve this transformation and break down these ethnic boundaries, progress will remain elusive,” he stated.

The former president emphasised the critical role of leadership at all levels of government, urging leaders to implement policies and projects that promote unity over short-term praise.

“Under the constitution, it’s straightforward to appoint one minister per state, given there are 36 states. However, it becomes more complex when appointing heads of agencies and parastatals, as this often attracts accusations of favoritism or nepotism,” he explained.

Zonefree:
Nigeria is a hoax.

I'm an Igbo man first before becoming a forced Nigerian.

JagabanBorgu:
Even in ur lgb0 man, I'm sure there's an Ebonyi, Nsukka before lgb0.
Somehow those of you using that line think you are sophisticated, it only shows u lack idea about the bigger picture, Nigeria is drifting apart rapidly that more people are accepting the idea of separation, when the separation eventually happens, same mindset will tickle down to each individual entity.

brain54:
It's because Nigeria has failed everyone...

If we had a working system people would be loyal!

JagabanBorgu:
Disloyal people can't build a working system, a system don't fall from the blue sky, people build it.
Ironically, this disIoyaI mindset transcends down to the LGA of every Nigerian, Nigerians Iack patriotism so much that putting in resources to fully rebrand even their LGA is difficult.

Zonefree:
Support the separation first. Nigeria is not designed to work.

Zonefree:
Support the separation first. Nigeria is not designed to work.

aribisala0:
Naive talk
Nigeria cannot separate
We can only fight over it till the strongest swallow the weakest.
The same thing that was interrupted by the creation of Nigeria will be completed
weakest groups will be assimilated and integrated
The idea of an Igbo nation living in peace alongside Ijaws Efik Yorubas etc is fantasy

The nation cannot separate some groups will simply be exterminated and their lands taken over
Some have a vision of a Caliphate etc

There cannot be peaceful separation just a bloody battle with only one winner

malali:
Because we stupidly copied democracy from the USA.

In the USA, you are from where you are born.(You are born in Texas, you are from Texas.)

So if you are Ibo and you are born in kaduna, you are from kaduna state.

If you are yoruba and you are born in Abia, you are from Abia state.

In Nigeria, if you are ibo and your family has been living in Kaduna for 100 years. you are still Ibo

Even though you have been voting for Kaduna state governor for 100 years. You are still guilty of crimes committed by your great grandfathers in Ibo land after living in kaduna for 100 years.

This is the most archaic system in the whole world....its is enabled for the benefit of the quota system, doesn't foster real development.

It doesn't make sense.When you elect semi-literate politicians, nobody can sponsor a bill to rectify this.

JagabanBorgu:
Disloyal people can't build a working system, a system don't fall from the blue sky, people build it.
Ironically, this disIoyaI mindset transcends down to the LGA of every Nigerian, Nigerians Iack patriotism so much that putting in resources to fully rebrand even their LGA is difficult.

TouchNfollow:
https://saharareporters.com/2024/11/27/nigerians-are-more-loyal-their-ethnic-groups-nigeria-ex-president-jonathan-calls-unity

SmartPolician:
That's because they know that Nigeria is a fraud that only Niger Delta oil and corruption sustain! The day petrodollars stop flowing, that will mark the end of this dysfunctional fraud.