NewStats: 3,260,844 , 8,172,769 topics. Date: Tuesday, 27 May 2025 at 07:49 PM 1n6p24

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.

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

Bitter truth so far.......

If you've been privileged to travel across different states in Nigeria, you'd know what uncle Jona is saying is nothing but the truth.....

Nigeria is a hoax.

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

It's because Nigeria has failed everyone...

If we had a working system people would be loyal!

Zonefree:
Nigeria is a hoax.

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

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.

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.

the separation first. Nigeria is not designed to work.

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

If we had a working system people would be loyal!

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.

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.

Stop deceiving yourself.
Your president, a Yoruba man does not believe in one Nigeria. Is he the one that will build a working system?

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.

Zonefree:

the separation first. Nigeria is not designed to work.

I only what is being followed properly not online noise, those of u making noise online should have made a move if you were serious.
The independence of Nigeria was propelled by nationalist approach such as the formation of Nigerian Youth Movement that channeled their energy into independence not making noise on the media.
The only thing any agitation is going at is making noise, no movement, no approach for anything, just noise, I don't noise.

Your ethnic group is your natural nation thats why I dont really blame yorubas but I just have the fact they cant fight to have their nation

Zonefree:

the separation first. Nigeria is not designed to work.

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

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

@bolded
Exactly.

The Fulanis are already on it. Kwara State is in the bag, Ogun and Oyo in view.

It is not a collection of small ethnic groups. Nigeria has big ethnic groups with at least 50m population. How can that be small?

This man is far better than Tinubu

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....We are running a monarchy system and calling it democracy. Becasue you have to be born into it. 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.

Nigeria is a disted union of envious and egoistic tribes, designed for political business.

As president then,you are aware of this fact and you kept on keeping divided people as one,you know the problem of Nigeria and you were solving fallacy.this man too is some people’s hero.
Now saying indirectly that Nigerian can never progress under this present arrangement

Alright

That is how it should be, those ethnic groups are suppose to be Nations of their own.
Europe is a good example.

Yoruba first before Nigeria. That's the order.

My ethnicity has done nothing for me in this life apart from give me a language. I can disown it completely for a price. English is more than enough of a means to communicate with people.

Especially those particular people who told Nigerians for 8 years that Buhari was fixing the economy, only to betray him immediately he left office, telling us he destroyed the country.

They’re now telling us again that TPain is fixing the country. Those set of people, fear them. They’ll shake your hands and stab you right in the back once you turn around.

Cowards, betrayers, tribal bigots!

Omooo last election portrayed the ipob,s as the most primitive and backward people in Nigeria.

Even Tinubu does not believe in One Nigeria

Very true. Nigeria independence was a fraud. The British and were under pressure to give up their protestorate to came up with something else just after the end of world world 2 by the Americans. American haim was to prevent another world war.

You can't blackmail and accuse Hitler for wanting to take over Europe which lead to world war and you are doing same. They came up with neo-colonialism.

Nigeria economy was very important to British economic especially when oil was already discovered. In other to steal that oil they put everybody into one country and make the region where the oil is very weak politically in other to control their resources.

Even the people in powers knows the country is fraud. They are benefiting from the system with their colonial master. The Biafra war was a British war but they made it seems like a Nigerian war.

Igbos are the worst tribalistic and religious fanatics among all Nigerians. They see tribe and religion before anything else even when abroad .
Whenever I meet an Igbo person in the US, the first thing rhwy talk about is what tribe you are and next is " oh you are a Muslim"?
Even Oyinbo don't care but Igbos from Nigeria cares about what religion you belong too.
Very annoying and pathetic.

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.

Most people ing Nigeria's unity with lips will never this your statement because of hypocrisy.


Majority of Nigerians are HYPOCRITE and pretenders, don't ever believe what the say online because they will never practice it if you give them the chance.

🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑

GEJ nailed it!

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.

You can't have loyal people when their is not equity and justice

This is so true. Or how else can you explain why Ndigbo wants Peter Obi, who performed below average as a governor, to be the president. Is that not awalokan mentality?

Well, some are Worse at this.

They never see anything good in others and have hatred towards everyone else.

Another problem is "Loyalty to Religion" not to God ooo because anyone who is Loyal to God will definitely LOVE his neighbor.

TouchNfollow:

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

That's true, every Nigerian is guilty of that including Jonathan....only few

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.

Exactly. That day will be the end of this entity. But till then let all of us be decieving ourselves