Delta State Governor; Ifeanyi Okowa and other prominent personalities in Nigeria are currently speaking at the 2nd Annual Ripples Dialogue on the theme “Rebuilding Trust in a Divided Nigeria: Advancing the Conversation”.
The dialogue which took place today, August 25, at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos state was jointly organized by Ripples Nigeria and its non-profit sister organization, Ripples Centre for Data and Investigative Journalism, RCDIJ.
The event has speakers such as the Afenifere Leader; Pa Ayo Adebanjo; Northern Elders Forum spokesperson; Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Former House of Representatives member; Uche Onyeagocha, and former NHIS boss, Prof Usman Yusuf.
During the dialogue, Governor Okowa observed that there is mutual mistrust among Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities due to the absence of a national unifying ideology with which all Nigerians can identify.
‘The concept of one Nigeria is merely a concept, there is no identified vision to drive a united Nigeria,’ the governor stated.
He also identified a lack of political will to fashion a constitution that will promote true federalism, the disenchantment of youths in the ability of the country to provide for them, and a lack of faith in the electoral process.
He held out hope for the country, however, if in 2033 Nigerians elect a selfless and capable leader that will inspire hope in the people.
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Also speaking at the event is the Leader of Afenifere socio-cultural organization; Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who identified President Muhammadu Buhari as the number-one enemy of Nigeria, revealed that the trust that used to be among the diverse ethnic nationalities of Nigeria has been eroded under his administration.
“The man ruling us now made the trust deficit among the several ethnic groups in Nigeria made it worst. What is bad is bad. I had campaigned for Buhari in 2007 when he promised to ensure the restructuring of Nigeria.
“Even Tinubu foolishly had an agreement with Buhari ahead of the 2015 presidential election to ensure the restructuring of Nigeria if elected. Buhari has been ruling us with impunity. How can we trust such a man? Even members of his cabinet don’t trust him.
“To rebuild trust in Nigeria, we have to pray to God to convince Buhari to support restructuring,” he said, regretting that “Buhari did not negotiate with us calling for restructuring but is negotiating with bandits”.
The elder statesman, who said he has been in the struggle for a better Nigeria for over 70 years, stated that the actions and inactions of Buhari are unwittingly maligning his ethnic group, and wondered why people from his ethnic group are not calling the President to order. He pointed out that the herdsmen menace is not a new phenomenon but came to a climax under the current dispensation of President Buhari
“If Buhari does not know what restructuring is about, he should go and read the Independence constitution adopted by the Saudana, Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe. The 1960 Constitution made Nigeria so peaceful. The regions had autonomy and even had embassies abroad”.
