The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has explained how he plans to address the scourge of ethnic agitations in the country, if elected Nigeria’s president in the February 25 election.
Obi made the explanation on Sunday in Abuja at the 53rd anniversary of the end of the Nigeria/Biafra war.
In a piece entitled, “Nation Building and Ordered Society are Imperative,” Obi lamented the negative trajectory of the Nigerian nation, urging every citizen of voting age to take advantage of next month’s presidential election to vote for a leader desirous of giving the nation a fresh start.
He said, “I believe that various agitation groups will stop their agitations when they see a patriotic leadership imbued with fairness, equity, justice, and a determination for a very inclusive and progressive society. Every rational human being can change when he sees a good reason to do so. Such incentives require the right approach, effort, and time.
“There are youths all over Nigeria who are frustrated because of injustice, poverty, lack of opportunities, unemployment, and apparent exclusion. Such youths could seize upon and use any issue or tool to express their frustration and anger.
I believe that some of those who are agitating are doing so partly due to our failures in creating an inclusive and progressive Nigeria. A working Nigeria with equity, justice and fairness will also definitely and effectively checkmate such extreme groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West African Province.”
The former Anambra state governor also stressed the importance of dialogue in addressing issues of divisions in the country, noting that if elected, his government would deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in bringing about a peaceful society for all Nigerians regardless of where they live.
“I personally believe that the best strategy for dealing with these situations manifesting in the guise of unclear nationalism, bigoted patriotism and religious bigotry is a carrot-and-stick approach. Nation-building and an ordered society are now imperative. We must wean those that can be weaned through the creation of a society where equity and justice will prevail, a society where the basic freedoms and necessities of life, such as health, jobs, skills, and empowerment are provided.
There must be a national programme for those who will accept the carrot approach. For those unwilling to yield to the carrot approach, the stick option will be fully justified and applied. We must put an order in our society and where necessary, justice will be tempered with mercy,” he added.
Although the war came to end 53 years ago, Obi regretted that not much has been achieved in terms of building an inclusive nation for all.
