of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State,
Senator Bola Tinubu, has linked the secession agitations agitations in the
country to the “chronic failure of government to meet basic aspirations” of the
citizens.
Tinubu has consequently advised the Federal Government to
dialogue with the agitators rather than embrace confrontational approach,
warning that the “cry of separation has gained traction among the average
people.”
He posited that if successive governments had
delivered on their promises of abundant life and justice for the citizenry,
those rooting for secession would not have been taken seriously.
Tinubu
spoke in Lagos in a keynote addressed entitled “A New Nigeria or a Better One:
The Fitting Tools of a Great Repair,” at the 2017 annual dinner of the King’s
College Old Boys Association.
“Thus, we have people clamouring for
secession in one part of the country and the murmur of such a course grows
stronger in other sections. These other areas resent that some have advocated
secession. Blame and recrimination become the political currency. Statesmanship
falls in short supply. The dominant urge is to confront instead of
reconcile.
“It would be wrong to mistake this for a tempest in a teapot.
If not careful, we may be tossed about like a teapot in a tempest. We must
listen to what is being said so that we can determine what is really
meant.
“Let us be frank. Many who cry separation do so because their
personal ambitions will be better served by such a thing. They believe they will
have greater chance at political power under a different
arrangement.
“Yet the cry for separation has gained traction among
average people; this is due to the chronic failure of government to meet basic
aspirations.
“If over the years, government had delivered on the promise
of growth, prosperity, and justice, those calling for such extreme remedies
would be but a small fringe of little consequence.
“Our task is not to
condemn but to listen and understand. I care not at all for this proposed
solution. But I dare not discount the concerns and problems that have led many
people into advocating such a thing,” he said.
Tinubu opposed the
dismemberment of the country as canvassed by the secessionists, and in its stead
suggested a roundtable discussion of the problems militating against the growth
and development of the country.
“Being more pragmatic, separating the
nation into small pieces resolves nothing and creates additional problems…Such a
thing would make us more vulnerable to outside influences. We would forfeit our
rightful place on the world stage and as a leader of this
continent.
“Moreover, not every split solves a problem. The political
mentality, either good or bad, that defined a group before the split will remain
after the divide. If one is imbued with factionalism, that perspective will
remain even when the immediate problem is surmounted. Division will manifest
differently, but manifest it will,” he said.
He suggested a rethinking of
the national economic model, which he described as not only old but crumbling
and presented the greatest challenge, suggesting a national industrial policy
that would foster the development of strategic industries, create jobs and
ginger economic growth.
