August 16, (THEWILL) – Yobe state Governor, Mai Mala Buni, said there is no election or interest of any single individual that is worth sending Nigeria to war.
Speaking Tuesday in Abuja, at the Annual Public Lecture and Impact Series/Awards, organised by the Blueprint Newspaper, governor Buni, who chaired the event, urged the 2021 awardees to consider their recognition as a springboard for more hardwork.
The Governor, in a statement issued on Tuesday, by his Spokesman, Mallam Mamman Mohammed, charged Nigerians to avoid politics of hate and the promotion of religious and ethnic sentiments.
Speaking on the topic of the event titled: “2023 Politics, National Security and Nigeria’s Stability”, Buni said all Nigerians are indebted to the country.
He said the 2023 election provides Nigeria another good opportunity to have a competence-driven election of new leaders to enhance national unity and development.
According to Buni, We have a moral burden and responsibility to chart a new path of unity and prosperity for this great country, a path of unity and prosperity for the benefit of future generations. It is also an opportunity for us to leave good legacies in the sands of time for posterity to Judge us fairly and positively.
“Therefore, for us to succeed, we must as a deliberate policy, avoid politics of hate, and the promotion of religious and ethnic sentiments that are gradually eating deep into the fabric of our nationhood.
“The government with the collaboration of stakeholders should create the required awareness among our supporters and the people of Nigeria generally to condemn and discourage inciting propaganda for a peaceful and successful election in 2023.
“Nigeria is no doubt blessed with huge natural and human capital, but unfortunately, 63 years after independence, we are still struggling to get it right. It is also unfortunate that we have collectively failed to use our diversity to serve as a source of strength. We have allowed, and in some cases, preached primordial sentiments and intolerance to divide us for political gains, thereby, creating more disunity among Nigerians.
“I am convinced that the Presidential candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, His Excellency, the former Vice President of Nigeria, Waziri Atiku Abubakar, of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the former Governors of Kano and Anambra states Alh. Rabiu Kwankwaso and Mr Peter Obi respectively, and of course, all other candidates cleared by INEC to contest for offices at National and state levels are leaders in their own rights.
“I am equally convinced that as statesmen, we shall remain patriotic to focus our campaigns on issues that unite the country, rather than issues that divide us. I, therefore, wish to solicit the support and cooperation of all stakeholders in the interest of a peaceful, united, and prosperous Nigeria, let us think Nigeria first before any other interest.
“The success or otherwise of the 2023 elections hugely depends on us the politicians, the political parties, candidates and their supporters, and of course, the political umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The need for peace to conduct the elections and to have good governance and development cannot be overemphasised. It, therefore, becomes obvious for all of us to make sacrifices and consider National interests above personal interests for a free and peaceful election in 2023. As patriots, with the zeal to ensure the unity of Nigeria, there is no election or interest of any single individual that is worth sending Nigeria to war.
“Nigeria has had many tastes of very unfortunate events from birth to date, under various regimes, from the very sad civil war to ethno-religious conflicts, bloody border clashes, and lately, the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and secession, among others. These conflicts had robbed the country of rich and valuable human and material resources. Nigeria cannot afford to have any more.”
The governor called on the participants to allow the lecture to guide their thoughts from negative and destructive political dispositions that polarise Nigerians to a more robust issue-based campaign and politicking to help build unity and new hope for Nigeria and Nigerians.
The guest speaker at the occassion, Lt. Gen. AbdulRahman Dambazau, said there must be a holistic approach to the problems confronting the country.
Dambazau charged governments to tackle problems of confronting youths in the country.
According to the retired General, the youth constitute 70 percent of the nation’s population and must be addressed for national security.
The Newspaper presented awards to Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello, Minister of Power, Abubakar D. Aliyu, Governor of Adamawa, among others.
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