ABDULSALAMI ABUBAKAR: NIGERIA AT CROSSROADS, INSISTS NATION IS BLEEDING
were already jostling for power at all levels, explaining that some even use inflammatory political rhetoric to achieve their ends.
According to him, others are presently stoking political fires that would be difficult to put out even after the elections, adding that some again, are lying low, looking to spring surprises on their opponents.
"Worse still, political rivalries are sometimes turned into personal fights between supporters of one politician and another. In some instances, these rivalries have degenerated into violence and deaths. None of these is new in Nigerian politics.
"And yet, none of them have been fully resolved. It appears that Nigeria is stuck politically in the same place and our democratic experiment has refused to grow beyond these issues, even after more than 60 years of national independence and self-government.
"All of these developments make 2022 a very crucial year for the country and its people. Whatever we do or don’t do this year will linger for a long time to come," he stated
He explained that the election year calls for statesmanship and patriotism, adding that, "it calls for restraint among all politicians in words and deeds. And above all, it calls for serious social and economic programmes that would help pull Nigeria out of the woods."
Speaking on the way forward, he said, "As we enter into this important election year, I will like to use this forum to send a few reminders to us all. Let us all remember that despite all the challenges and threats, Nigeria remains one.
"For this, we give thanks to Almighty Allah and the resilience of Nigerians. Our unity, and our large and youthful population remain are our greatest strength. We must not compromise these. Instead, we must consolidate on them to chart a way out of current challenges.
“As we in the National Peace Committee have been doing for years now, all stakeholders must work with an open mind towards building peace across the country. The government should channel redouble its efforts and channel more resources towards securing peace.
“Traditional rulers, and religious and community leaders should support the government towards securing peace for our people. Without security, there is no country.
"Our political class must realise that the fate of Nigeria lies in its hands and choose to do good in this moment of history. As they jostle for power in the coming elections, all politicians must watch their words and deeds carefully and avoid saying or doing things that will further heat up the polity.
“We must all remember that no one can rule over a nation in ruins. Leadership is a collective responsibility, and we must all play our parts positively,” the former military ruler said.
He pointed out that in November last year, the federal government through the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed unveiled a National Development Plan with an investment size of over N348 trillion.
This investment was expected to be funded collaboratively by both federal and state governments, and by the private sector.
“If implemented faithfully, the plan will build infrastructure all across the country, expand the private sector, develop social services like all health and education for all Nigerians, and create millions of jobs for our teeming youth over the next five years.
"Obviously, there is not much time left for this government to achieve all of these. But I am convinced that the scale of this investment is precisely what Nigeria needs now. So, regardless of party or political differences, the next government can embrace this plan and use it as a blueprint for our collective development.
"It has the potential to make Nigeria another success story so that we can take our rightful place among the committee of nations," he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) objected to plan by the federal government to conduct a national census a year to the 2023 general elections, stating that it portends a very dangerous omen.
The position of NEF was disclosed by the Director of Publicity and Strategy, Dr Hakeem
Baba-Ahmed, who said that holding census when election was near would create a lot of tension with several meaning ascribed to it.
Baba-Ahmed urged the federal government to focus its attention on addressing the security challenges facing Nigeria as well as the impending food scarcity in the country due the security crisis.
Lending his voice to the dearth of quality governance in the country, the spokesman of the NEF said things have gone so bad that, "90 per cent of our governors have no business being in power today."
He warned against electing a President in 2023 whose only credential is his ability to buy votes, saying, "Nigeria does not need an ethnic president, but a competent leader who can provide leadership to move the country forward.”
Also speaking, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar said what the country needs to bounce back to reckoning was a leader capable of addressing the challenges facing the nation.
"What is important now is to identify a competent leader that can get us out of these crises. We have the capacity to pull this country out of her present predicament. We must do the needful and most importantly, I believe a leadership that will prioritise education is desirable," Atiku said.
On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa'ad Abubakar III called for continuous dialogue as a way of building national consensus.
"I am one of those who so much believe in dialogue and I believe there cannot be too many sessions not only in this country but across the world. Let us close ranks and come together to see what we can do to move this country forward in peace and prosperity," he added.
In his contribution, Borno state governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum decried activities of insurgents in the north-east, attributing their evil campaign to lack of adequate quality, functional education in the land.
According to him, investment in education remains a vital tool in addressing most of the nation's socio-economic challenges.