The Nigeria Agenda (TNA) group today gathered at the International Conference of the University of Ibadan (UI), from the nation’s six geopolitical regions, calling on Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State to join the 2023 presidential race.
The group, comprising the National Prosperity Movement, Nigerian Patriotic Coalition and several other groups, decried the failure of the Nigerian leadership, which has enmeshed the country in various unimaginable problems ranging from security to socio-economic and political woes.
The speakers at the event including former Nigerian Ambassador to Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, Osun State Commissioner for Political Affairs, Hon Taiwo Akeju, Ondo State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Chief Mrs Lola Fagbemi, Director-General, National Prosperity Movement, Ahmed Sajoh and Julius Okporo, identified poor leadership, corruption and concentration of power in the Federal Government as the foundation of the crisis that has engulfed the country.
Farounbi wondered why Nigerians are suffering in the midst of surplus saying, “Nigeria has 47 percent of GDP in Africa, number one or two largest economy of Africa, number 10 gas producer, number two asphalt producer, number one cassava producer in the world. Nigeria has 33 mineral resources yet to tapped. We have the potential to be prosperous. The question is why are we not there?”
He said for Nigeria to make a meaningful progress, it has to be cured of the foundational problem it has incurred, stressing that there would not be peace without running the nation transparently.
He bemoaned the sharing formula of the nation’s wealth, pointing out that it was illogical in an absolute term for the Federal Government to take 53 percent of the commonwealth leaving states and local government with 33 and 24 percent respectively.
According to him, the nation’s forefathers, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Nnamdi Azikwe and Sardana of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, were great leaders because they had the interest of the nation at heart unlike the crop of the leaders currently ruling Nigeria.
Speaking in the same direction, the Director General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN Commission, Seye Oyeleye said, “The unity and progress of the Nigerian-Nation-State has been heavily marred by the systemic and structural deficiencies evident in the country prior to independence which was subsequently worsened by the intervention of the military.”
Oyeleye further traced the problem of Nigeria to colonialism stating, “Nigeria was a victim of European colonialism and imperialism.” He faulted the process of bringing different ethnic and religious people together under a nation called, Nigeria.
According to him, “Pre-colonial Nigeria consisted of various ethnic groups and tribes…There were kingdoms, empires, statelets, principalities, city-states and acephalous societies…These Empires were largely distinct with different cultures, customs and traditions although they traded, interacted and waged war against each other. However, the decision of the British, who at different points were trading with the aforementioned Empires, to directly interfere in the governance of the Nigerian area changed the course of the territory’s history. British direct interference in the area escalated with the bombardment of Lagos in 1851 and continued with the formation of the Northern and Southern Nigeria Protectorate, the amalgamation of the Lagos Colony and the Southern Nigeria Protectorate in 1906 and ultimately, the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914.”
“This seemingly innocent act has continued to plague the socio-political-economic development of the country. Bigotry, tribalism, and ethno-religious biases have coloured the political, economic, and social relations amongst Nigerians to the extent that it has stalled our progress”, he added.
The DAWN boss argued that the solution to Nigeria’s problem is to ensure that Nigeria’s present and future needs must be determined by the will of the people.
“The country is currently being run against the will of the people, as the constitution serving as the social contract of the country is illegimate without any input from Nigerians. Addressing Nigeria’s constitutional deficiency is the first step to addressing the national question and consequently pursuing the Nigeria Agenda. All other efforts aimed at solving our challenges is tantamount to putting the horse before the cart. The structural and systemic inefficiencies would continue to stall progress and breed disunity”, he pointed out.
The climax of the programme was a short drama where it was clear that the message being sent was that Governor Fayemi should take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 so as to move the ‘ship’ of Nigeria forward.
Also present at the event was the former deputy Governor of Oyo State, Iyiola Oladokun, Segun Adebayo, who represented former Minister of Education, Prof Tunde Adeniran, political appointees, commissioners and well meaning Nigerians.
