Why I Shunned Partisan Politics — Gowon

Related stories

OPEC+ Surprises With Oversized Output Hike

OPEC+ will ramp up oil production more aggressively than anticipated...

2027: Okpebholo, Oborevwori, Eno, Edet, Others Rally Support for Tinubu

By Abiola Olawale The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the...

Amid Several National Grid Collapse, Power Minister Adelabu Unveils Ambition to Succeed Makinde in Oyo

Kicks Off State-wide Consultations By Abiola Olawale Minister of Power,...

Osun Guber: Davido’s Uncle, Adeleke Quashes Defection Rumours

Says he stands firm with PDP By Abiola Olawale Osun...

Zamfara 2027: Intrigues As ADC Extends Invitation to Governor Dauda Lawal

Governor Weighs options In what has been described as...

By Kolawole Ojebisi

A former Head of States, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.) has explained why he has refused to join partisan politics in the country after a successful military career.

The 90-year-old elder statesman gave the explanation on Wednesday in Abuja when he received the League of Northern Democrats (LND) led by a former Kano State governor Senator Ibrahim Shekarau.

Speaking on what informed his seeming apolitical stance, Gowon said:
“I am not affiliated with any political party. My only allegiance is to Nigeria. My profession (military) shaped my belief in serving the country above all else, and I’ve avoided partisan politics.

“I encourage others to think beyond regional interests and focus on Nigeria as a whole. Differences in opinion are natural, but they should never prevent us from working together to resolve issues for the good of 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,” Gowon said.

He expressed hope that the guests’ mission was not just about returning to the old thinking where every region prioritised theirs.

“My position has always been that whatever the north does must serve the greater interest of Nigeria. From your speech, I understand that this is your intention—to ensure the north, in its current state, focuses on national unity.

“It was for this reason that I supported the creation of multiple states, to prevent any one region from becoming too powerful and threatening the country’s unity,” he added.

Earlier, the Chairman of League of Northern Democrats (LND), Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, spoke on the 90th birthday of Gen Gowon.

He said, “First, let us congratulate you on your 90th birthday, a milestone that reflects a life of unparalleled service and dedication to our great nation. As Dr. Akinwumi Adesina so eloquently articulated in his paper as Guest Speaker during the celebration, your vision and legacy remain cornerstones of Nigeria’s progress.

“Indeed, as former President Olusegun Obasanjo also aptly observed then, you are one of the few leaders whose exemplary deeds are celebrated during their lifetime.
“Sir, we proudly stand with all well-meaning Nigerians to uphold and champion the legacy of unity and integrity that you so manifestly embody.”

Shekarau said that the LND was born out of a shared sense of urgency and responsibility among northern elites to address the critical challenges facing the region.

“Together, we seek to reposition the North as a bastion of political, economic and cultural influence – a North that reclaims its historical role as a beacon of leadership in Nigeria.

“There is very little we can tell you that you may not have averted your mind on. But the challenges we face today, disunity, poverty, illiteracy, insecurity, drug addiction and the erosion of societal values, demand urgent and deliberate action.
“As you have often reminded us, if people do not rise to address their own issues, no one else will. This ethos of self-reliance and collective responsibility inspired the formation of the LND as a platform for proactive and collaborative solutions to our problems,” Shekarau said.

Gowon ruled the country for solid nine years (1966-1975) having assumed office following the military counter-coup that claimed the life of his predecessor, Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi.

He presided over the country during the bloody civil war that raged for almost three years, eventually forging an organic nation from a disparate ethnic entities.

He was ousted from office by Muritala Muhammad in 1975.
Since then, the former head of states has remained relatively quiet.

The New Diplomat
The New Diplomathttps://newdiplomatng.com/
At The New Diplomat, we stand for ethical journalism, press freedom, accountable Republic, and gender equity. That is why at The New Diplomat, we are committed to speaking truth to power, fostering a robust community of responsible journalism, and using high-quality polls, data, and surveys to engage the public with compelling narratives about political, business, socio-economic, environmental, and situational dynamics in Nigeria, Africa, and globally.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
OPEC+ Surprises With Oversized Output Hike2027: Okpebholo, Oborevwori, Eno, Edet, Others Rally Support for TinubuAmid Several National Grid Collapse, Power Minister Adelabu Unveils Ambition to Succeed Makinde in OyoOsun Guber: Davido's Uncle, Adeleke Quashes Defection RumoursZamfara 2027: Intrigues As ADC Extends Invitation to Governor Dauda Lawal$4.2m Covid-19 Scam: Nigerian Pastor Goes to Jail, Osun Monarch, Oloyede Forfeits Assets in US As Crackdown BeginsNatasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: Senate Stipulates Terms for Reinstatement After Court's RulingTinubu Departs Saint Lucia, Heads to Brazil for BRICS Summit2027: Drama, Intrigues as Julius Abure Tells Otti to Quit Labour PartyFG Secures $100m for Lagos-Calabar Project from ECOWAS BankEx- Arsenal Star Thomas Partey Faces Rape, Sexual Assault Charges in UKEdwin Cortes: Prefers Being A Small Puerto Rican Than Big AmericanJune 12 And The International Pursuit of Justice For Abiola, By Femi FalanaBreaking Down the West’s $146 Billion 2024 Defence Technology InvestmentG7 vs. the World: GDP, Population, and Military Strength
X whatsapp