FORMER President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, lamented the state of disunity in the country saying that this is one flaw that has hindered the country from achieving greatness and being the leading light of the entire black race.
Obasanjo said that despite the uninspiring situation of things in the country, he remains an incurable optimist about things turning around for good for the country “as long as we can look back as a country and correct the mistake of the past.”
The former President blamed regionalism as practised before obtaining independence in Oct 1960 as the foundation of the country’s prolonged lack of cohesion, explaining that “the truth is that at independence, Nigeria emerged with three leaders and so it is a situation of three countries in one ever since.”
Obasanjo disclosed this when he received the 20-member delegation of League of Northern Democrats led by the former governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, at his penthouse inside the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
The former President said that the question of where you come from in appointing leaders should not be a problem but what should be of paramount interest is the merit, capacity and ability to deliver on what we move the nation forward saying that “It is high time we began working for the national interest.”
Obasanjo said “Yes, you have identified your group as League of Northern Democrats but how I wish you call your group National League of Democrats because where you come from should not be a problem. Where I was born should not be the enemy of my Nigerianess. I will be increasing by being a Nigerian rather than being a member of the Republic of Oodua.
“I am undoubtedly proud to be a Yoruba but my being a Nigerian should not be the enemy of my being a Yoruba…. We must get the best man for the job, it doesn’t matter where he comes from. We must get our acts together.
“The African continent, the black race and the entire world are looking up unto us. When we got our independence, what they were calling us was giant in the sun but is that the situation today?
“We have disappointed ourselves, we have disappointed the black race, Africa and the world at large. So, our concern is right, we have rubbished the value of integrity, no truth, no love but it is not too late to retrace our steps. We must put the past behind us and work for the greatness of Nigeria.
Obasanjo added that he shared the concerns of the group for the poor state of things in the country but that the situation is not beyond salvaging as long everyone is ready to come together and work as a united nation.
He noted that he would forever remain a Pan-Africanist, a patriotic and Nationalistic Nigerian and a proud black man from the black race.
He urged the League of Northern Democrats to consider changing their name to the National League of Democrats because the ideals the group espoused are what cut across the nation saying that he wouldn’t mind being their patron if he cannot be their active member due to old age.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the group, Shekarau said that the creation of the non-partisan group about three months ago was designed to rally good governance and oneness of the country.
The former governor said that the group is concerned about the issues of unity, youthful exuberance and employment, issues of education, good governance, credible people in government, insecurity and general underdevelopment of the country.
Shekarau said that the group which is made up of people of varying professions across the northern parts of the country decided to come together to see how it can influence good governance and, the selection of credible leaders among other efforts to address the problems confronting the country.
He lamented that it was unfortunate that registered 93m voters in the country cannot elect the ruling class members who he said are not more than 11000.
Shekarau said, “From all the 36 governors and their deputies, the President and his vice, the 469 lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and Senate, the councillors and the local government Chairmen, all of them are just a little over 11,000 yet the 93 million registered voters in the country cannot look around and elect credible leaders. So, all of these we hope to address with our advocacy as a group.
The former governor also said that just like the former President has advised, the name of the group after due consultation will be made National to give everyone a sense of belonging.
