Gen. Abubakar expresses fears on Nigeria

31.01.2008

A former Head of State, General Abudulsalami Abubakar, has expressed fears over the political situation in the country. He also advised politicians to learn from the Kenya experience.

Abubakar, in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, Niger State, said ‘we are playing politics of bitterness and winner takes all and politics of give and take.

“I hope our politicians are learning and watching from the Kenyan situation which I would describe as very sad,’’ he said. The former leader who described Kenya as the pride of democracy, expressed sadness over the loss of lives in the country.

“You can see how people are killing one another, it is very sad and I hope our politicians in Nigeria are watching’’. Abubakar appealed to politicians not to sow seeds of discord that was ‘capable of putting the country in such a terrible situation’

“You ask, where are we going, killings and political thuggery, are they really necessary?’’ he asked. He noted that the country had drifted from a unified one as every section was clamouring for autonomy.

“I’m afraid for Nigeria, because this is not the Nigeria that our founding fathers bequeathed to us. We are no longer our brothers’ keepers, instead of us talking about Nigeria, you are either talking about local governments or our states,’’ he stressed.

According to Abubakar, there was much to be done in terms of development. He urged the traditional and religious institutions to continue in their effort towards ensuring peace and stability in their domain.