Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigeria is fast drifting to a failed and badly divided state under the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
He said that this was reflected in poor socioeconomic conditions of the citizenry and pervasive insecurity in the land.
According to the vocal ex-president, the mismanagement of the nation’s diversity by the present government has also led to the reopening of old and disappearing fault lines.
He added that the Buhari administration instead of listening to constructive criticism viewed all critics as enemies.
Sahara Reporters reported, quoting Daily Trust, that Obasanjo stated these at a consultative dialogue that held in Abuja on September 9 and 10.
“I do appreciate that you all feel sad and embarrassed as most of us feel as Nigerians with the situation we find ourselves in. Today, Nigeria is fast drifting to a failed and badly divided state, economically our country is becoming a basket case and poverty capital of the world, and socially, we are firming up as an unwholesome and insecure country.
“And these manifestations are the products of recent mismanagement of diversity and socio-economic development of our country. Old fault lines that were disappearing have opened up in greater fissures and with drums of hatred, disintegration and separation and accompanying choruses being heard loud and clear almost everywhere.
“It would appear that anybody not dancing to the drum beat nor joining in chorus singing would be earmarked as ethnically unpatriotic or enemy of its tribe or geographical area. In short, the country is fast moving to the precipice. But happily, I observed that the five socio-cultural political groups gathered “here have been getting together to find common ground, areas of agreement or accord for moving Nigeria away from tipping over.
“Before continuing, let me say that we must remind those who are beating the drums of disintegration and singing choruses of bitterness, anger and separation that if even Nigeria is broken up, the separated parts will still be neighbours. And they will have to find accommodation as neighbours or they will be ever at war. And those who prevent justice to be done, invite violence to reign,” Obasanjo was quoted to have said.
The former president noted that all stakeholders must join hands to rescue the nation from the precipice.
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