Similarly, Alani Bankole, father of the former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, urged politicians, especially young politicians to steer clear of political practice, ethnic and religious sentiments that could truncate unity and peace, asking politicians to emulate Nigeria’s forefathers.
Dogara, the guest of honour at the 75th birthday of senior Bankole held in Abeokuta on Saturday, declared that no political and economic challenges are insurmountable, particularly the present economic recession, if Nigerians could move ahead of political differences, ethnic and religious sentiments.
The Speaker, who was accompanied by Lasun Yusuf, Deputy Speaker and some members from the Federal House of Representatives, said, “The theme of unity has been discussed by Honourable Chief Justice (Dahiru Musdaphar) and for whom we are, it means we must do a lot for national unity and cohesion.
“If we come together as one, there is no challenge we cannot conquer, even the present economic recession. No country in the world can be better than Nigeria if we can be united.”
Also, the celebrator, Alani Bankole, who was a governorship candidate in Ogun state on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in 1992, implored politicians of nowadays in the six geo-political zones of the country to eschew political bitterness, ethnic and religious sentiments that is tearing apart the country.
But, the guest lecturer who is an age-long friend of the celebrator and retired Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Dahiru Musdaphar, said that Nigerians had not really addressed the cause of disunity and diversity, saying: “it seems that the root cause of disunity has remained with us.”
He added, “Time after time, we failed to exploit opportunities to hold national conversations on what it means to be Nigerians and negotiate the Union and its future, with all Nigerians at the negotiation table. Some argue that some of the root causes of the civil war are still driving the political tensions today.
“Despite the commendable efforts of the military to hold the country together, there is ample evidence that the root causes of disunity remain unaddressed. Today, reports from the United Nations and statements from prominent public figures are stressing the point that Nigeria is more divided than ever before and we, as Nigerians should be concerned.”
The retired Chief Justice of the Federation however proffered some solutions to the present national challenges majorly caused by disunity and absence of cohesion, adding: “Any solutions for unity and nationalisation will demand that Nigerians sit and negotiate the definition of what it means to be a modern Nigerian.
“We must be brave in addressing the grievances and injustices committed on all sides that have pervaded our society and rendered null our attempts at unification. We must acknowledge our past history, speak truthfully and comprehensively about our present circumstances in order to come to a place where we can as a national work together and move forward.
“We must reinstate merit and remove opportunities for nepotism. A smarter, more innovative and more industrious Nigeria is better for everyone. In the same vein, we must devise better ways of achieving the objectives of the principle of Federal Character without lumbering the polity with divisive tendencies.”
