He also asked Nigerians to prioritise national unity over regional interests.
Gowon made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja while hosting members of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), led by Ibrahim Shekarau, former governor of Kano state.
Gowon, who turned 90 in October, said he has avoided partisan politics to focus on fostering national unity.
“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 have avoided partisan politics,” he said.
“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 have 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.
“My position has always been that whatever the north does must serve the greater interest of Nigeria. From your speech, I understand that you intend to ensure that 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.
“This perspective was born out of extensive discussions with political leaders, chiefs, and various groups. The north had to make sacrifices to address fears of domination by one region, especially given the size and population of the north.
“At that 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, east, and even the north. This deeply worried me.
“I was born in Nigeria, raised in Nigeria, and served a profession that represented the country’s collective interest.
“My decision to advocate for state creation stemmed from a desire to prevent the fragmentation of our nation.”
The former head of state said the agitation for secession “weighed heavily” on him, adding that if disintegration prevailed, Nigeria would not exist today.
“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 military ruler said the country’s diversity should be the nation’s strength and not weaponised to divide Nigerians.
“The cultural nuances are fascinating and a testament to our rich heritage,” he added.
Gowon expressed sadness over the emergence of terrorist groups in the north, saying “their activities have only created more problems” for the country.
Gowon was head of state between August 1, 1966 and July 29, 1975.
In his remarks, Shekarau said the problems bedevilling the north — 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 issues, no one else will,” Shekarau said.
“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.”