THE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has cautioned Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo on his comments on the possible breakup of Nigeria.
The Vice President had noted on Sunday that there were cracks in the nation’s wall, which if not addressed, could lead to its possible breakup.
Osinbanjo who was represented by Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated this at a church service held to commemorate Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja on Sunday, according to a report by Punch newspaper.
While drawing biblical allusion from how Nehemiah built the broken walls of ancient Jerusalem, he noted that Nigeria needed focus and consistent prayers to avoid a possible break up.
“Fortunately for us, our walls are not yet broken but there are obvious cracks that could lead to a break if not properly addressed,” he said.
“Nehemiah started with fervent prayers, seeking the face of God and pleaded with his king to allow him return to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken walls because the wall signifies peace, security, contentment and prosperity. It signifies the essence of the state of the nation.
“There’s an urgent need for a Nehemiah in our country, Nigeria, today. And like Nehemiah faced opposition in his efforts to rebuild the walls, any Nigerian that desires to rebuild Nigeria must also be ready to face stiffer opposition which will come in torrents. It can only be diffused by consistent focus and prayers.
However, in its reaction to the Vice President’s comments, the ACF through Emmanuel Yawe, its National Publicity Secretary in an interview with The Punch, agreed with Osinbajo that there were cracks in the nation’s wall but said with time the country would overcome them.
Yawe cautioned the Vice President against utterance that can worsen tension. He also cautioned other leaders to “watch their words.”
“The cracks are unhealthy but we expect the Vice President to calm nerves and not make a pronouncement that will aggravate the situation,” he said
“The ACF is hopeful that Nigeria will overcome its current travails as it did in the past and even overcame a fratricidal war to break up Nigeria. To do this, Nigerian leaders like Osinbanjo should watch their words.”
Osinbajo’s call was coming about two weeks after a former president, Olusegun Obasanjo said Nigeria was slowly becoming a failed and divided state.
The ex-president who said he has never seen the country in such a bad state blamed the current status of the country on poor management of the nation’s diversity.
While he also warned against the call for war and secession, Obasanjo had said for Nigeria to successfully tackle its challenges, the problem of disunity must first be addressed.
Obasanjo was berated by the presidency and presidential aides for his statement.
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