The Northern States Governors Forum on Sunday flayed statements by those it described as misguided Nigerians calling for the splitting Nigeria at the slightest provocation.
The Forum spoke in the light of the 80th birthday of Nigeria’s former Head of State, retired General Yakubu Gowon, who it said fought for Nigeria to remain one.
The Chairman of the Forum, who is also the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, while speaking on behalf of his colleagues in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Israel Ebije, said General Gowon would be remembered as an “Apostle of Peace”, adding that Nigeria was indeed fortunate to have had him as Head of State during the civil war.
Governor Aliyu said: “Those fanning the flames of disunity are doing so for personal gains. Nigerians must celebrate General Yakubu Gowon’s 80th birthday remembering why we must ‘Go-On-With-One-Nigeria.’
“Notable Nigerians have paid dearly to prevent the unity of the country, just flake off like sand before the wind.
“Regardless of ‘our differences’ Nigerians must continue to advocate for one united country. Those fanning the flames of disunity are doing so for personal gains. The collective developmental aspiration of Nigeria supersede group or personal interests.”
Aliyu said Gowon’s role in Reconstructing, Rehabilitating and Rebuilding Nigeria and the ‘no victor, no vanquish’ position on the civil war, helped Nigeria to heal quickly from the injuries of the war, calling on Nigerians to insist on ‘one Nigeria’ regardless of our challenges.
He said: “We cannot forget the selfless leadership role played by Gen. Gowon during the civil war era. Perhaps it would have been worse if he was ethno-religiously based. He stood for unity, he stood for justice and he is indeed a role model for future generation of leaders to come.
“Gowon is one of the best thing to have happened to Nigeria especially during the civil war era. He is still relevant even at 80 praying for the continuous unity and progress of Nigeria. We must therefore celebrate his birthday, remembering the sacrifice many Nigerians have made to keep Nigeria from disintegrating.”
The Forum’s chairman said the election period is drawing nearer with interests, passion and intrigues, adding that the need to apply caution in the way and manner Nigerians go about it cannot be overemphasised.
The chairman of the forum said as the next general election draws nearer, Nigerians must ensure they eschew the ‘do-or-die’ mentality, saying the unity, peace and collective development is sacrosanct.
He said Nigerians still have leaders who have made sacrifices holding firm to the trigger of the gun during the civil war, who are still holding firm to the ‘project Nigeria’ at heart.
He said for the sake of such good hearted Nigerians and posterity, Nigerians must continue to forge ahead as a nation.