…Obi calls for collective action for development
….Andy Uba sues for peace in Anambra
By Emeka Alex Duru
Rising beyond the current challenges of insecurity and poverty confronting the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured of a better future for Nigerians. He however vowed to deal with those fanning the ambers of insecurity in the land, stating emphatically that the government would deal with secessionists and their sponsors.
Buhari’s comments came on the heels of calls by the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 election, Peter Obi on collective action for the development of the country. On his own, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the November 6 governorship election in Anambra, Andy Uba, sued for peace in the face of rising violence in the state.
The President who made the remarks in his nationwide broadcast to mark the country’s 61st independence, noted that with the efforts of his administration in areas of addressing vaccine and food insufficiency, Nigerians would be in a better place to battle the ravaging corona virus (COVID-19) and food shortages in the years ahead.
The President recalled that the past eighteen months have been some of the most difficult periods in the history of Nigeria on account of these two challenges. He however enthused that the doomsday scenario predicted for the country never came, stressing that even as the Delta variant of the virus continues to spread, Nigeria has built the capacity needed to respond now and into the future.
Buhari added that on the approach to food security, Nigeria has commenced its journey to pharmaceutical independence.
He frowned at the incidence of insecurity in the country, stressing that as a government, his administration is ready to arrest and prosecute all persons inciting violence through words or action. “Our resolve for a peaceful, united and one Nigeria remains resolute and unwavering”, Buhari stated. The President lauded the efforts of the security personnel in containing the menace of terrorists and insurgents in the northern parts of the country.
He pledged to continue to work on dialogue based solutions to address legitimate grievances by groups in the country, adding; “But we remain ready to take decisive actions against secessionist agitators and their sponsors who threaten our national security”. The president hinted that the government is vigorously pursuing financiers of insecurity in the country, including one identified as a serving member of the national assembly.
Obi, in his goodwill message, stressed that rescuing Nigeria from its present level of retrogression and under-development, will take more collective efforts and commitment.
He explained that the past 61 years of Nigeria as an independent nation, have been mostly a story of retrogression and failure, blaming the lapses on political leaders at all levels of government who do not have the interest of the nation at heart.
Obi stated that the 61st Independent Day Celebration offers Nigerians a unique opportunity to reflect on the journey as a nation so far, and called on everyone to join hands to build the nation and elevate it to the lofty height which it has the capacity to attain.
For Senator Uba, the current regime of violence in Anambra, is an alien culture to the state. “We should stand together to denounce, resist and chase this ugly monster away from Anambra”, he pleaded.