Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), has explained why he has chosen to remain politically unaffiliated, stressing his commitment to Nigeria above all political ideologies.
Gowon, now 90, made the revelation on Wednesday, November 27, while receiving members of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), led by former Kano State Governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau. During the meeting, the elder statesman shared insights into his personal philosophy and political views, which he said have always been shaped by his military background.
“My only allegiance is to Nigeria,” Gowon said, emphasizing that his time in the military instilled in him the value of putting the nation’s interests above all else. “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 further elaborated that his decision-making during his time in government was always rooted in the welfare of the people and the country, despite the diversity of viewpoints within his administration. “During my time in government, we valued diverse perspectives, but decisions were always made in the interest of the people and the nation,” he added.
Gowon also reflected on the political climate during his rule, particularly the regional tensions that threatened Nigeria’s unity. He explained that the northern region had to make significant sacrifices to address fears of domination, particularly given the region’s larger size and population. This, he said, was a product of careful and wide-ranging discussions with political leaders, chiefs, and various interest groups at the time.
“There was considerable anxiety from the south about the north’s dominance, which nearly led to calls for secession from all regions—the west, the east, and even the north,” Gowon recalled. “If we had allowed it, what would we call ourselves today? We might have ended up with separate nations—whether Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, or otherwise. I hesitate to say more, as I might risk offending someone here.”
The former Head of State also expressed sadness over the current challenges facing the northern region, including the rise of violent groups like the Lukurawa from Mali, whose actions, he said, have only worsened the region’s security issues.
Gowon, who served as Nigeria’s military leader from 1966 to 1975, was ousted by a military coup after almost a decade in power. Despite his departure from the political scene nearly five decades ago, his influence and perspectives continue to shape conversations about Nigeria’s political and social landscape.
