Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo says he believes that 2023 should be the beginning of a true and genuine Nigeria where nobody would feel oppressed nor have a sense of alienation.
He said it will amount to dangerous and destructive self-delusion for anybody to claim that all is well in Nigeria today, adding that fixing the country is the duty of all Nigerians as well as friends of Nigeria.
Obasanjo while delivering a speech titled “Moving Nigeria Away From Tipping Over” at a consultative dialogue of Nigeria’s socio-cultural political organisation on the state of the nation in Abuja said the country is fast drifting to a failed and badly divided state, a manifestation of recent mismanagement of diversity and socio-economic development of the country.
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The former President explained that Nigeria can be saved from disintegration if everyone is ready to live together in understanding, mutual respect, love with equity, justice and inclusiveness.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting convened and facilitated by the former President himself with representatives of the Afenifere, Middle belt Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Ohaneze Ndigbo and the Pan Niger Delta Forum in attendance, the meeting noted the grave dangers Nigeria is facing especially in the areas of deterioration of governance, economy, security, political intolerance,worsening social and inter-communal cohesion, poor performance of democratic and electoral structures, declining faith in leadership and those charged with leadership at all levels which have combined to push the country to the brink.
The meeting identified the primacy of pulling Nigeria back from the brink and resolved to deploy their individual and collective efforts to achieve the objective.
The meeting also agreed to set up panels of experts to discuss, address and make recommendations on Nigeria’s federal structure, devolution of power, responsibilities and resources, security, judicial reforms, electoral reforms and ensuring integrity and credibility of elections amongst others.
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The participants resolved to commit themselves to the implementation of agreed reforms and recommendations arising out of the initiative in the speediest and most acceptable process.
Shortly after the meeting ended, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and the Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi arrived the venue and met with the convener and was briefed comprehensively about the background to the process and the decisions taken.
Governor Fayemi described the objective behind the initiative as noble and far reaching in the search for solutions to the problems bedeviling Nigeria and promised to support the process.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
