…regrets that successive leaderships had taken the nation’s unity, indivisibility and indisolubility for granted
Constitutional Lawyer and Human Right Activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome has described as laughable claims that Nigeria is indivisible, saying those with such claim should better learn from the breakaway Republic of Russia, Ukraine Central Asia, among others.
He regretted that successive leaderships had taken the nation’s unity, indivisibility and indisolubility for granted, stressing the indices that guarantee unity must be nurtured.
Ozekhome spoke while delivering a lecture titled ” “Nigeria in the Throes of insecurity towards 2023: Any Panacea,” during the 11th Zik Lecture Series, organized by Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Chief Ozekhome.
He said, “I heartily guffaw at times when I hear Nigerian leaders mouth moral platitudes and ineffective liberal disquisitions about the indivisibility and indisolubility of Nigeria.
“I roar with laughter, because, old Russia made the same historical mistake. It was forced to dissolve on December 26, 1991 by declaration No. 142 – H of the Soviet of the Republic of the Supreme Soviet.
While citing the renowned African writer, Prof. Chinua Achebe that Nigeria’s trouble is squarely leadership failure, the guest lecturer added that followership constituted another major outstanding challenge confronting the nation.
He further frowned at the “taking a bow” mantra of the National Assembly members, especially for sensitive positions, describing it disaster waiting to happen.
He canvassed for total scrapping of what he termed 360 behemoth lower green chambers of house of representatives as one of the panacea to Nigeria’s problem, while 109 Senators would be left to represent the country.
Alternatively, make the legislative center quite unattractive by merely paying sitting allowance for sitting session.
On the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Ozekhome reiterated the call for his immediate release, insisting that his protracted detention would further aggravate the insecurity in the Southeast.
“Nnamdi Kanu is not a separatist, he is fighting a self determination course which is globally recognized. IPOB didn’t start violent, it was peaceful until September 14 when the army invaded Kanu’s home.
“Let me sieze this opportunity to beg Mr. President, on bended knees, without prejudice, to release Nnamdi Kanu. We’re not saying he should subvert justice. What will bring peace to the region is not his continued detention,” he added.
Earlier, Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa attributed the nation’s prevailing insecurity to bad seed sowed few years back.
He described the security situation as a hydra headed monster that has undermined public safety and threatening the continued existence of Nigeria as one united, indivisible country.
“The surge in mass kidnappings, insurgency, banditry, herder-farmer conflicts, ritual killings, and other acts of terrorism is, to say the least, frightening.
With the advance in technology, the terrorists are becoming more sophisticated in their operations, using more advanced technologies including drones, GPS systems, and encrypted messaging services to spread propaganda and recruit others into their network.
“It is my considered view that Nigeria is reaping the harvest of the bad seed it sowed a few years back by obliging kidnappers with ransom payments. It was a fatal mistake that has spawned a huge industry in kidnapping.
“There is also a strong link between increased terrorism and inequality and inequitable distribution of wealth. The widening gulf between the rich and the poor in our country is alarming.
“Equally alarming is the poverty rate, which stood at 40 percent in 2021, and is believed to be around 45 percent in 2022, which translates to 90 million citizens living below the poverty line.
This has led to disenchantment and feeling of alienation among our teeming youth population, leading to rise in cybercrimes, kidnappings, ritual killings, and other violent acts that undermine our national security.”
Okowa said other contributory factors to the current state of insecurity in the country include the absence of a modern security architecture; easy access to weapons by citizens, lopsidedness in power sharing, religious bigotry and intolerance; and the lack of respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizens by the government.
Proffering solutions, Okowa said: “Going forward, we need to urgently draw up a holistic plan to address our security challenges in the short, medium, and long term.
“Aside from a modern security architecture anchored on technology, we must muster the political will to deal decisively with criminals, regardless of their ethnic groups, religions, or status.
“This is imperative to tackle the problem of herdsmen/farmers’ conflict, which is fast becoming the greatest threat to our nation’s unity and economic well-being.
“The nomadic Muslim Fulani pastoralists and the largely Christian farmers of various ethnicities have continued to clash resulting in loss of farmlands, economic crops, cattle, and lives.
“This threat to our country’s stability and unity needs to be tackled urgently to reduce the level of insecurity and to ensure food security. It is my considered view that ranching and cattle colonies with support of the federal Government is a way out of this quagmire.
“Furthermore, criminal herdsmen must be apprehended and made to face the law, and Internally Displaced Persons need to be quickly resettled in their homes.”
On the forthcoming election, Okowa expressed optimism that in line with the guidelines of the new Electoral Act, which compels Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results, hijacking of ballot boxes and other election-related violence will reduce.
He added that as much as Nigeria needs a strong leader, it also needs to build strong institutions. He mentioned Nigeria institutions that need to be strengthened to include Police, media, judiciary, legislature, INEC among others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone regretted the expanding breath and intensity of security challenges, describing it as threats to the conduct of 2023 general elections.
