The former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has raised the alarm that the unity of Nigeria remained fragile blaming the development on those he called “priests and barons of division.”
He said it was shameful that those promoting disunity and fanning embers of discord in the country had benefitted immensely from all privileges obtainable in Nigeria.
Obasanjo spoke in Minna, Niger State, on Saturday during the second term campaign inauguration of the Governor of the state, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, which was organised by the state Peoples Democratic Party.
President Goodluck Jonathan and his deputy, Namadi Sambo, were represented at the event by the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, in the event which attracted many dignitaries such as the Governors of Kwara, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa; and Zamfara states, Alhaji Mamud Shinkafi.
The inauguration, which was witnessed by hordes of party supporters at the Trade Fair Complex, had in attendance some elder statesmen such as the former Vice-President, Chief Alex Ekwueme, Ambassador Maitama Sule and Chief Ebenezer Babatope.
Former dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida, (retd.) who was supposed to be the chief host, however, sent his son, Mohammed, to represent him.
Obasanjo said instead of leveraging on their educational and privileged backgrounds to inform the less privileged on importance of peace and tranquility in the country, some politicians had continuously promoted divisive tendencies for their selfish interests.
He said, “I feel a little bit apprehensive because those of us who have enjoyed the greatest benefits in this country; the best that this country can give to us in terms of education, training, appointment and election; should be the ones to tell, educate and inform our less privileged brothers and sisters.
“But what are we doing? Some of us who have enjoyed all these privileges have now become priests and barons of division either on ethnic, religious, geographical or linguistic basis.
“What a shame! I believe that all of us, who got their feet in that special position of having education having benefited from all that this country can give to us in appointments, should do everything to enhance the unity, tranquility and the solidarity of this country.”
Obasanjo added that nobody should blame God if Nigeria failed as a country noting that nature had put Nigeria on the pathway of greatness.
He said he was better off in the Republic of Nigeria than he would have been in the Republic of Oduduwa insisting that unity and tolerance were the only fabric binding the country together.
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