The former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has advised agitators for Nigeria’s restructuring to do so without bitterness and acrimony.
He also urged them to it in a manner that would promote peace and unity among the diverse ethnic nationalities.
Gowon said that there was nothing wrong for anybody or group calling for self-actualization, adding however that such should be done through due process and in a civilized manner.
Gowon spoke on freedom at a Night of Drama organized by the Divine Oracle Ministries International at the Assemblies of God Church, Tunga Minna, Niger State.
The former Nigerian leader said that there was nothing wrong with calls for restructuring that should breed bad blood among Nigerians.
His words:
“Restructuring is a good thing so long as it further widens Nigeria’s polity, creates ample level playing field for all Nigerians to have greater sense of belonging and pride.”
Gowon, who served as the father of the day at the occasion, however, challenged citizens to be more broad-minded, more careful in their utterances so as not to endanger or tear apart the fabrics of national unity – all in the quest for self determination.
Gowon, whose tenure as Military Head of State between 1966 and 1975 remains the longest in Nigeria’s history, recalled that as a leader, who saw the country through its darkest days of civil war, cautioned politicians on the need to guard against playing the ethnic cards to drum support for their cause.
He also warned against over religiosity and sensenalisation of issues to whip up sentiments against national cohesion and interests, adding, “All issues of restructuring should be done without calls for Nigeria’s balkernization”.
Gowon however cautioned: “Our politicians must keep this in mind, to engage on issue based politicking and avoid politics of ethnicity or religion. Whatever restructuring is our goal, every group, region or state must bear it in mind that Nigeria is irrevocably unbreakable”.
Gowon urged Nigerians of all shades of religious beliefs to continue to pray for the continuous existence of the country.
“My prayer is that all the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria should remain united, bounded by one love, common interest for Nigerian project and stay irrevocably unbroken”, Gowon said as he tasked Christians across Nigeria to remain united, focused and work for the propagation of their faith.
Among the dignitaries that attended the all night praise were General Zamani Lekwot (rtd), Air Commodore Dan Suleman (rtd), Senator Solomon Ewuga, Senator Philip G. Yunka, Hon. Tawase Obende, the Chief of Staff to Governor Samuel Ortum of Benue State.
The Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, who spoke through his Special Adviser (Political Matters), Mr. Solomon Nyaze, enjoined Christians in Niger State to ensure they participate actively in the political development of the state.
Bello urged Christians to obtain national voter’s card and register with any political party of their choice to enable them play active partisan politics as a right and civic duty instead of playing the observer role.
Chairmen Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the whole 19 northern states and the FCT, Abuja, Rev. Yakubu Pam, who was Guest Speaker at the occasion, observed the need for Nigerians to ‘appraise ourselves’ as a people with a view to charting a cause for Nigeria’s unity.
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