Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has on Wednesday, described the calls for the disintegration of Nigeria as unmindful and insensitive to the plight of the minority groups in the country,
Obasanjo made the observation when he received the Tiv Professional Group, TPG, from Benue State, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The former President recalled a discussion between himself and “a Military friend”, who according to him, has described major tribes in the country as selfish and not sufficiently caring for the minority groups.
He aligned with his friend’s opinion, expressing worry over what would become of the minority groups, if the major tribes decide to secede and begin to operate as separate countries.
His words: “If the Yorubas can stand as a country, if the Igbos and the Hausa/Fulani can stand as separate countries, where do we want the minority groups to be?
“Now, by virtue of the present situation, they are a little bit protected, but if Nigeria breaks up, they will be oppressed and exterminated.”
He recalled the meetings he had with a number of socio-cultural organisations, in September 2020, and noted that nobody at such meeting talked about disintegration or breakup, adding that, “all they clamoured for was a change for good”.
Obasanjo stressed the need for Nigerian Leaders to be mindful of the ethnic diversity of the country, adding that, the country would not make any meaningful progress without such consideration.
He expressed hope that the rough times that Nigeria is going through would not last forever, urging Nigerians to be patient while the country gathers her goodwill and moves in the right direction.
The Leader of the group, Prof. Zacharys Gundv, in a paper which he presented to Obasanjo, highlighted the challenges of the nation, including insecurity, poverty, religious intolerance, kidnappings, and banditry, among others.
He explained that the Tivs are worried about the skewed narrative of insecurity in Nigeria
Proffering a solution to Nigeria’s challenges, Gundv called on well-meaning Nigerians to be united in serving the country.
He also called for intensified advocacy against nomadic pastoralism, and an “All Nationalities Summit”, to discuss and proffer solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
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