Former president Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue instead of beating drums of war.
In a recent dialogue with journalists, the former general stressed that there is a need for better communication, other than gunning for another round of civil war.
Reacting to the spate of protests and demonstrations by pro-Biafra agitators in some parts of the southeast and Lagos recently, he said: “Our differences could only be addressed when issues are discussed instead of going to war”.
“We do not need another civil war. We had fought one before. I was part of it.
“I saw with my eyes. I heard with my ears. I smelled with my nose. What we need is better communication. And I am here to communicate with you,” Obasanjo informed.
He further noted that: “What I enjoy most is the cultural diversity. Earlier in the week, I was in Benue State and I enjoyed the cultural dance. Since I arrived here yesterday I have enjoyed the cultural dances. What we need to address is how to reduce unemployment, how to reduce poverty, and how to hold our leaders accountable to their promises.”
In the same vein, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has urged the federal government to dialogue with members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The OPC strongly opined that it is only through dialogue that pro-Biafra agitators can be made to drop the Biafra agitation and ultimately the idea of a Biafra state.