Former heads of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Babangida have expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the country, saying “Nigeria is currently under fear and uncertainty.”
In a joint statement obtained by our Punch Newspaper in Abuja on Sunday, they warned that the consequences were capable of affecting the unity of the country.
They said the loss of innocent lives being experienced across the country was no longer bearable.
The two leaders said, “The loss of innocent lives by the day across the nation is simply unbearable.
“Currently, the nation is gripped by a regime of fear and uncertainty that virtually all citizens have difficulties going about their normal day-to-day activities with great anxiety and trepidation. This cannot be allowed to continue.”
They said unfolding events had posed threats to the labour of the nation’s founding fathers and subsequent generations in building a strong, united, peaceful country that can accommodate and cater for the needs and aspirations of our diverse communities.
Obasanjo and Babangida also lamented the untold hardship in the country.
They claimed that a deeply worrying trend that was emerging from this terrible situation was that a pervasive cynicism was beginning to set in, so much so that millions of true Nigerian patriots were starting to question the platform upon which the unity of the country rests.
However, they appealed to Nigerians not to allow frustration, fear and despair to supersede their hope for a collective destiny, which lies in their continued existence as a nation.
Both leaders declared that as for them, and some millions of other Nigerians, the continued unity of Nigeria was not only priceless but non-negotiable.
Their statement reads in part, “While we are very much aware of the efforts various governments in the country are making to confront the escalating security challenges across the country, we believe that it is time that these efforts are scaled up to be more involving and inclusive.
“In this regard, whatever robust security measures are put in place to contain the situation, as is normal in such circumstances; they must be complemented with an equally intensive process of community involvement.
“We therefore urge all governments in the country, starting with all the 774 local councils to comprehensively engage their communities at the various levels, including elders, youth organisations, trade union and associations, women bodies, clerics and other community stakeholders.
“We also call on the Federal and state governments not only to encourage these grass roots engagements for peace and beneficial coexistence but should work out the framework to sustain the engagement.”
They said that in all these efforts, it was important to emphasise that Nigeria’s diversity should be a course for celebration and not a cause for lamentations.
Both leaders, who recently abused each other on the pages of newspapers, however appealed to Nigerians to use the holy month of Ramadan to turn the tide against insecurity, violence and hatred.
They also appealed to religious leaders, in particular, to have an even greater challenge to use the immense virtues of this holy period to inculcate among the millions of citizens, the spirit of mutual respect, humility and forgiveness.
They furthermore revealed that ample opportunities were at hand to bring all armed belligerents to table for meaningful dialogue with the authorities for Nigerians’ future.
Obasanjo and Babangida added that no meaningful development could ever occur in an atmosphere of violence and hatred.
History, they said, had shown that any society built on the structures of violence and intolerance would not prosper.
While they said that God has blessed Nigeria with abundant resources and talents, they however said there must be peace and harmony to harness them.
They also said they were ready to do whatever was possible to promote the quest for peace and harmony in the country.
Culled from Punch
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It is only GOD that sees our heart and our secret deeds.And nobody can mock GOD,if the hands of any of them is connected to the killing of innocent Children,women,and Men created by GOD,let all nigerians mark todays date,For I know I serve the living GOD that person will never die well but will die in misery and shame.And Nigerians will also be suprise the kind of misery that will befall their Children.this will not happen only if GOD is no longer GOD.but I know GOD is still GOD. All we get from this Old men is well said No well done.what is life if it cannot be use to better the life of people,this are men that GOD has giving the upportunity to lead,and they think they can make their self mini gods.I was In primary school when they rain,naw am out of school they are still their, WHAT A SHAME.
ReplyDeleteThis ex presidents so called and their past and present collaborators are the authors and finishers of this phobia epidemics that is chalenging Nigeria status
ReplyDeleteLet them start doing it now before it is too late..
ReplyDeleteSo u people can talk like this. The question is why wait this long before voicing out? Hope u are not thinking of military take-over as the next option. It is commonly said that the evils men do live after them. But I think the evils you people do will live with u because u are not totally exonerated. The past has a link with the present situation in Nigeria. The future will tell who is innocent...posterity will judge.
ReplyDeleteIs like the insecurity thing is affecting these big brothers . they are rising alarm.but why keeping mute all this while.
ReplyDeletei dont still believe thier statements, is to free and those people cant offer free statement,there is more to it, IBB was in the picture when OBJ took over power in 1999, and silent after the of 130m for OBJ campain, IBB wanted to come in 2007, he was nocked out by students protest, now OBJ has resigned from PDP board and the next for them to talk about peace, may be they have been sleeping,well, lets keep finger cross watchout, something is comming soon, the two maradonas in the NORTH AND SOUTH.i pray to Allah to make their plans favour Nigerians that means in thier intent is bad Allah will let them make mistake but if for the betterment of Nigerians home and abroad may Allah ease the way for them, amin.
ReplyDeletethey talked as if they truly cared about the nation.well,i trust nature for one thing,if you try to cheat on nature,nature will still turn around and claim its chances.lets watch and see!
ReplyDeleteABEG, THESE TWO OLD MEN SHOULD SHUT UP AND GO AND REST. THEY WERE THE REAL PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY SPOIL THE NATION. SEE HOW THEY SPEAK AS IF THEY CARED FOR ANYONE.THEY SHOULD BURY THEIR HEAD IN SHAME RATHER THAN TALK AS THEY DO.
ReplyDelete