Abuja: The Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, has attributed the ongoing disunity and division in Nigeria to the actions of the country’s elites. Speaking in Abuja during the public presentation of the book, ‘Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration’, authored by former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Makinde expressed concerns over how the political class has been undermining national unity and progress.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Makinde emphasized that ordinary Nigerians have largely reached a consensus on maintaining the unity of the country. However, he criticized the elites for exploiting ethnic, religious, and regional differences to fulfill their political ambitions. He urged for an ‘elite consensus’ on addressing Nigeria’s current challenges and proposed designing solutions that align with contemporary realities.
Makinde highlighted the need for elite cooperation in moving the nation forward, stating, “My experience is that ordinary Nigerians already have a consensus that they want to be Nigerians. But we the elites are the ones dividing the country because of our ambition.” He also called for significant political reforms to advance Nigeria.
The governor, although not a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stressed the importance of national dialogue beyond partisan divisions, reaffirming that he has no intentions of decamping to the APC. He also congratulated Alhaji Lai Mohammed on his publication, urging leaders to document their public service experiences to enrich Nigeria’s historical narrative.
Reflecting on past political experiences, including his interactions with the late President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2007 elections, Makinde noted the evolving nature of political landscapes. He pointed out that current challenges differ from post-civil war concerns when national unity was paramount, advocating for solutions tailored to present-day problems.
Earlier in the event, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, called for credible elections and constitutional reforms. He warned that failing to strengthen democratic processes could lead to chaos and emphasized the need for decentralization, stronger institutions, adherence to the rule of law, and consideration of a single-term tenure for executive offices.