By Kareem Shamusudeen
Chief Emeka Anyaoku, a former Commonwealth Secretary-General, has decried the growing insecurities in the country which have made the loss of human lives as being of little consequence.
Anyaoku stated this while contributing to the discourse titled “Wither Nigeria?”, during an event organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation on Saturday, March 6th.
Of recent times, there have been increased attacks on citizens—and even on the military—by insurgents including the Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram—coupled with ethnic violences that have threatened the peace and stability of the country.
Anyaoku noted that the growing distrust among ethnic groups especially, limits the co-existence of the nation. He, however, chided the federal government for its puny responses toward impending ethnic violence, adding that “the leadership of Nigeria cannot continue to ignore this fact.”
He further said there will be no tranquility if the current state of affairs threatening the unity of the country is left unabated. He stated that “our current type of government” has not shown promising signs of tackling ongoing national tragedies.
Reacting to the reports of some ethnic groups threatening secession, Anayaoku said “there is no section/ethnic group that does not stand to gain from belonging to the one country of the size and resources that is of Nigeria.” He added that what should be in place is the implementation of effective policies and programmes by the government that will serve the common interest of the diverse ethnic groups in order to “sustain, nourish and progress Nigeria.”
To put a permanent halt to the current deteriorating situation in the country, Anyaoku recommends that all levels of government must “urgently organise an all-inclusive national dialogue.” He said “the dialogue should take into consideration recommendations from previous national conferences” with a view to modify the current government structure and produce a consensus constitution that will reflect “we, the people of Nigeria.”
