Former President Olusegun
Obasanjo, on Tuesday declared that Nigeria has had enough bloodshed and
sacrifice.
Obasanjo’s remark is coming at a
time when there has been calls from various groups across the country calling
for the breakup of the nation.
Speaking at a public presentation
of the book written by Haruna Yahaya and titled, “The First Regular Combatant:
Brigadier General Zakariya Maimalari,” in Abuja, Obasanjo said Nigeria needs
peace and progress at this point in time.
The former President also said
effort should be taken to root out political “aberration” from the military.
He said easing out officers who
have the assistance of political office holders will prevent Nigeria from
another war.
Obasanjo lamented that political
influence in the Army had led to the killings of well-trained officers in the
Army, who would have been useful to the country.
Lamenting the coup of 1966 that
led to the death of Maimalari, Obasanjo eulogized the late soldier whom he said
was very particular about the welfare of his men during the Congo peacekeeping
mission.
He said, “Maimalari was a man who was very interested in the welfare of his men during a peacekeeping mission in Congo, a situation that led to him having issues with some few. He was a soldier’s soldier.Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
“If Maimalari had lived to head the Nigerian Army, to the best of my own knowledge, Nigeria would have been better for it.
“Lesson to be learnt from Maimalari’s death- this country had had trained officers who would have been of benefit to this country, but cut out at the prime of their lives, and our lesson should be that this should never happen again.
“To stop the sort of thing that took the life of Maimalari prematurely, all those assisted by political office holders should be eased out of Army so we can have an Army that will be completely free from political aberration.
“And since 1999, I think we have got it right, let us hope that we have got it right and learn the right lessons. Nigeria has had enough bloodshed, sacrifices and Nigeria deserves peace, unity and progress.
And may be the sacrifices of the like of Brigadier General Maimalari be sufficient to give this country peace, development, unity and progress.
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Why must breaking up mean bloodshed in Nigeria? Because it is an uncivilized nation of violent backwards thinking. The zoo it is indeed. Look at the simple minded thinking of your leaders. A disgrace and disappointment on the black hope
ReplyDeleteReferendum is what's needed, not war. Let these obvious hostile peoples go their different ways in peace. There's no need to be bundled together such that Some people are kept in perpetual bondage. The lesser of the options is to have Nigeria restructured.
ReplyDeleteSo referendum is what is needed. And whats the guarantee that if referendum is conducted that the out come will be favoring those calling calling for it. I actually think that people asking for us to stay together out numbers those asking for breakage. This is because referendum is not gonna be for the South Easterners alone, but for the whole citizens to decide. Think Think Think. .....
ReplyDeletePlease do more research. Referendum is for the affected people alone, which in this case is the South East
DeleteSo you copy and paste without first doing a research. Just check the most recent referendum and see who really took part in it.
Delete