Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says Nigeria is
currently at a crossroads as poverty, unemployment, inflation, infant mortality
and other social vices are on the increase.
He, therefore, called on Nigerians to unite in the demand
for true federalism.
Atiku said this while delivering his speech at the formal
public presentation of the Daily Stream newspaper in Abuja on Thursday.
He said, “A huge pall of pessimism hangs over a section of
the citizenry, and the ranks of those who harbour real doubt about the future
of the country swell by the day.
“The country is truly at a crossroads, and things are made
worse by the cocktail of economic, social and political problems which we have
had to contend with, and which add to the abysmally low estimation of our
country even by its own citizens.”
The former Vice-President recalled that life was better in
the First Republic because each region was allowed to grow at its own pace
while the Federal Government was weaker.
Atiku, however, noted that following the creation of states,
the Federal Government became very powerful while the federating units became
poor, thereby, deepening poverty among the populace
He added, “Our beloved country has been in the throes of
severe and debilitating social and economic problems. Virtually all the
development indices have not been favourable: massive and pervasive poverty,
double-digit inflation, unemployment, dwindling foreign exchange receipts, poor
GDP growth rates, high infant and maternal mortality, high levels of
illiteracy, and millions of school-age children out of school.”
Atiku said the many problems facing the nation were already
threatening the unity and the existence of the country. He, therefore, urged
Nigerians to come together to renegotiate the terms of our union.
The former vice-president said no leader could make
far-reaching positive changes in the country except the current political
structure is changed.
He added, “To be sure, good leaders do make a difference in
the fortunes of countries. However, leaders operate within structural
constraints imposed by constitutions, laws and regulations and the local and
world economy.
“But the most germane question we need to ask ourselves is:
must we really continue to live together as one country amidst such a pervasive
climate of disunity, which is impeding our development?
“My prompt answer to this is yes, we should remain together
because it is the best option, and because we will be stronger, greater, and
better in one piece than in pieces.”
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