Former minister faults agitations for Nigeria’s division

A former Minister of Education, Alhaji Yerima Abdullahi, has described agitations for Nigeria’s division as politically motivated.

Abdullahi said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Monday, ahead of the country’s 61st independence anniversary on October 1.

He also expressed optimism that Nigeria, despite the various challenges confronting it, would eventually emerge stronger and more united if the citizens can stop agitating for a breakup.

The elder statesman said since independence in 1960, that the country has passed through turbulent periods, including the civil war and other political upheavals, and is still able to emerge stronger.

Abdullahi said it was counterproductive at this period of national development to allow some unpatriotic elements to destroy the solid foundation laid by the nation’s founding fathers.

“The agitations by some people for the breakup of this country are politically motivated and satisfying the egos of a few politicians bent on grabbing power by all means necessary,” he said.

The former minister, however, dismissed claims that some sections of the country are being marginalised, arguing that some politicians rather than supporting the system are creating problems.

He warned such politicians to desist from provoking their followers to unleash terror against the law-abiding citizens of the country but to counsel their followers to seek solutions to their grievances.

Abdullahi urged Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic or religious differences, to collectively join hands towards building a united and prosperous country.

He warned that Nigeria should copy other countries like Sudan, Libya and Somalia, who are now being considered as failed states after the breaking from their countries.

Speaking on the level of insecurity in the country, Abdullahi blamed the political class for aggravating the situation.

He accused politicians, especially those from the opposition parties, of playing politics with the problem of insecurity bedevilling most parts of the country.

He advised politicians, irrespective of their party affiliation, to consider the current security challenges as a threat to the corporate existence of the country by proffering solutions towards tackling the problem.

He said the issue of security should not be left to the government alone and requires the effort of all Nigerians in order to tackle the menace.