Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said Nigeria’s development will remain hindered unless the country abandons what he described as primitive methods of selecting its leaders.

Jonathan made the remarks while speaking on the occasion of the 162nd anniversary of the birth of nationalist leader Herbert Macaulay.

Speaking at a memorial colloquium organized by the Macaulay Heritage Foundation in Lagos, Jonathan urged Nigerians to prioritize competence and merit over religious, ethnic and linguistic considerations when choosing political leaders.

He warned that the country's enormous human and natural resources would remain underutilized if political decisions continued to be influenced by primordial sentiments.

The former president also identified leadership failures, corruption, weak institutions, policy inconsistency, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity and overdependence on raw material exports as major obstacles to Nigeria's development.

Jonathan called for comprehensive democratic reforms, stronger institutions, functional education and research-driven universities to accelerate national development.

He further described Nigeria's democratic system as opaque and amorphous, stressing the need for reforms that would guarantee popular participation, respect for human rights, judicial independence, accountability and the rule of law.

Comparing Nigeria's development with that of South Korea, India and Singapore, Jonathan questioned why the countries had recorded significant progress in industrialization, technology, education and healthcare while Nigeria continued to struggle.

He challenged Nigerian leaders to consider the kind of country they intend to build ahead of the nation's 100th independence anniversary in 2060.

According to him, "the country needs a national development agenda with clear objectives, measurable targets, timelines and defined responsibilities.”

Jonathan also urged young Nigerians to contribute to nation-building through innovation, enterprise, civic participation and accountability.

Nigeria’s development doomed until primitive leadership selection ends – Jonathan

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has received the All Progressives Congress, APC, flag as its governorship candidate for Benue State ahead of the 2027 election during the Tinubu/Shettima rally in Jos over the weekend.

The presentation of the flag by the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, represents a formal affirmation of Governor Alia's recognition and acceptance by the party as its standard-bearer in Benue State for the forthcoming governorship election, as well as an expression of the party's confidence and institutional backing for his second-term bid.

The presentation formed part of the rally's activities, during which APC governorship candidates from across the North-Central region received their respective party flags, reaffirming the party's commitment to its candidates as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

The rally, held at the Zaria Road Stadium, attracted prominent national and regional political leaders, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, APC governors, members of the party's National Working Committee and other stakeholders.

President Tinubu, who led the national delegation to the rally, reiterated his administration's commitment to national development, particularly the restoration of peace and security in communities affected by violence.

He assured the people of Plateau State of the Federal Government's commitment to rebuilding communities affected by insurgency and facilitating the safe return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes.

The Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio also addressed the gathering, highlighting the administration's development initiatives and calling for support for the APC in the forthcoming elections.

The rally attracted party faithful, supporters, and political stakeholders from across the North-Central region, providing a platform for the party's leadership to reaffirm its commitment to the 2027 electoral process.

Gov Alia receives APC flag for 2027 Benue governorship race