Nigeria Fast Drifting To A Failed, Badly Divided State, Says Ex-President Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has given a critical remark of Nigeria, stating that the nation is currently drifting towards a failed and badly divided state.

The ex-president also said the nation’s economy is becoming “a basket case and the poverty capital of the world”.

Obasanjo stated this at a consultative dialogue on Friday which was attended by members of Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Pan Niger-Delta Forum.

In his speech at the event titled ‘Moving Nigeria away from tipping over’, the ex-president attributed his grim remarks to the mismanagement of the nation’s diversity and socio-economic development under the current administration.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

This is, however, coming days after the President, Muhammadu Buhari charged his ministers, heads of departments and agencies to vigorously defend the achievements of his administration.

The President also urged them not to allow any irresponsible and politically motivated statements keep spreading falsehoods about his government.

“I have charged all of you to defend the government vigorously and not allow any irresponsible and politically motivated statements to keep spreading falsehoods about this government,” he said.

“Information to the public should be better packaged, go on the offensive, we are proud of our achievements and we should blow our own trumpets.”