Yakubu Gowon Explains Neutral Stance on Nigerian Politics, Advocates National Unity

Former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), has reiterated his decision to remain politically neutral, emphasizing his commitment to Nigeria as a unified entity above partisan affiliations. Gowon, now 90 years old, shared his thoughts on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing the League of Northern Democrats (LND), led by former Kano State Governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau.

Reflecting on his career and leadership philosophy, Gowon attributed his neutrality to lessons learned during his time in the military and his tenure as head of state.

“Nigeria is my only loyalty,” he stated, adding that he believes serving the nation should supersede all other allegiances.

He urged Nigerians to adopt a holistic view of the country, stressing that while differences and disagreements are inevitable, they should not hinder collective efforts toward unity and progress.

Gowon emphasized his pragmatic approach to governance during his time in office, which valued diverse ideologies but prioritized decisions that served the nation's best interests.

“I’ve always believed in taking the best from all ideologies, be it socialism, capitalism, or others, and applying them for the greater good,” he said.

He added that the creation of states during his leadership was a strategic decision aimed at preventing regional dominance and fostering national unity, particularly during a time of heightened secessionist sentiments across the country.

The former leader recounted the fears of regional domination and the calls for secession from various parts of the country, including the north, east, and west. He highlighted the sacrifices made by the north to address these concerns and ensure a balanced federation.

“If we had allowed [secession], what would we call ourselves today? We might have ended up with separate nations—whether Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, or otherwise,” he said, emphasizing the importance of Nigeria’s unity.

Gowon also described Nigeria’s diversity as a strength, urging citizens to embrace their differences to build a nation they can all be proud of.

Gowon expressed dismay at the security challenges facing northern Nigeria, particularly the rise of extremist groups such as the Lukurawa from Mali, whose activities have exacerbated instability in the region.

Gen. Gowon served as Nigeria’s military leader from 1966 to 1975, a period marked by the Nigerian Civil War and the restructuring of the country into states. Despite his eventual removal via a military coup, he remains an advocate for peace and national unity.