The African Democratic Party (ADC) has urged Nigerians to “build bridges across their ethnic and religious divides” as the country celebrates 58 years as an independent entity.
The party’s National Organising Secretary, Dr Mani Ahmed, made the call at news conference in Abuja on Monday.
Ahmed said that unity, love, oneness and reconciliation had informed the “handshake” initiative of the party aimed at rekindling the spirit of patrotism among citizens.
He expressed regret that for 58 years Nigerian leaders had failed to properly unite the peoples of the country.
He described as unfortunate, a situation where Nigerians, at the moment, were more comfortable identifying with their ethnic groups and pursuing parochial interests.
“For 58 years, we have continuously witnessed widening gulf among Nigerian ethnic nationalities rather than the emergence of nationalism, which our founding fathers and first republic politicians professed and stood by .
“We have seen our leaders’ slump from national leaders to ethno-religious champions.
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“Our national institutions are degenerating and going extinct.
“Insecurity is heightening in intensity with devastation of lives and property of Nigerians by fellow Nigerians;this cannot be allowed to continue,” he emphasised.
Ahmed said ADC’s founding fathers had initially thought deeply on the symbols that could serve as a set of unifying force for the country.
He said that it was for that reason and the need to discourage ethnocentrism as well as emphasize the virtues of national reconciliation that they designed the symbol of handshake as its logo.
Ahmed said that the events, which were to commemorate the country’s independence, we’re aimed at fostering understanding among Nigerians.
He appealed to Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe creed and religion, to “remember that there is strength in the nation’s diversity”.
He said: “We want Nigerians to love Nigeria as their country and to desist from doing anything that will be inimical to the growth and development of the country.
“We want Nigerians to see their fellow country men and women as one indivisible people.”
According to him, democracy would in the long run lead to the progress and well-being of Nigerians and indeed the nation.