Dr. Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti State, has alleged that some external forces are behind the calls for balkanization of Nigeria across ethnic lines.
Fayemi said that the agitations were part of calculated plans by external forces in collaboration with their conspirators in the country to disintegrate Nigeria and cause an untold humanitarian crisis.
He stated this in Ado- Ekiti, the Ekiti State at a colloquium held to mark this year’s June 12 with the theme: “June12: Securing the Freedom of Democracy”.
The Governor explained that the rising tide of agitations for secession in some parts of the country could be curtailed when leaders are challenged to promote issues that unite the country through fairness, equity, and justice rather than issues of division.
“For me, the most striking lesson is that unity of purpose and open-mindedness are needed for our country to escape the relentless efforts of some elements to subvert our country’s corporate existence.
“There is hardly any doubt that there are calculated plans by some external forces in collaboration with domestic conspirators to dismember Nigeria and cause untold humanitarian crisis.
“The continuing proliferation of conflict centers and the exacerbating divisive rhetoric are all parts of a grand plan to ground Nigeria to a halt. The security challenge that confronts us today is a direct threat to the future of our country because of its asymmetric nature. And worse, because of the disunity among the Nigerian elite on how to confront what is clearly a threat to their survival,” he said.
He underscored the need for members of both the political class and non-state actors to practice the ethos the 1993 June 12 poll epitomizes where sectional, sectarian and partisan interests were set aside in the interest of the country.
Fayemi said such a unity of purpose and togetherness as well as patriotic positive disposition to the overall wellbeing of the country were needed in dealing with the current agitations for secession.
The colloquium which was chaired by the National Chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group, Hon Wale Osun, had veteran journalist, Dare Babrinsa, a member of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Lateef Akanle and Chairperson, Ado Local Government, Mrs Omotunde Fajuyi as panelists.
The Governor who reminisced on the struggles of some political class for the reign of democracy in the country noted that the June 12 elections revealed the strength of the nation’s diversity as it betrays the theoretical postulations about ethno religious influence on electoral outcomes in the country.
Drawing lessons from the June 12 1993 elections, he said; “For me, the most striking lessons is that unity of purpose, open-mindedness are needed for our country to escape the relentless efforts of some elements to subvert our country’s corporate existence.
“The security challenges that confront us today is a direct threat to the future of our country because of the disunity among Nigeria elite on how to confront what is clearly a threat to their survival.
“Toxic mentoring that glorifies criminality, exacerbating hatred and divide our people should be scrupulously avoided. Nigeria was at such as a precipice in 1993 after the exit of Gen Gbadamosi Babangida but it was at this moment that conscientious leaders came together under the National Democratic Coalition and other various organisations to provide a national direction and a pathway to democracy. The political class elite of the time intentionally involved to curtail the rhetoric of internal issues and to avoid the distraction of subverting elements.
“That is why we must all come together both those who are in government and those outside the government to challenge our leaders to do the right things. Confront the issues that divide us, promote the issues that unite us, ensure fairness, ensure equity, and ensure justice in our polity. Even as we fight to end criminality, let us unite all forms of bigotry in order to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.”