By Ebere Agozie
Some stakeholders in the project to develop Nigeria say fairness in the appointment of public officers and strict adherence to the principles of federal character will cement Nigeria’s bond.
They said this at the 13th Webinar series organised by the Rule of Law Development Foundation on Tuesday in Abuja.
The webinar had the theme `Overview and Mid-Term Report of The Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (May 2023-May 2025)’.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, J B Dauda, SAN says the promotion of unity across the country will serve as a cementing bond in the Nigerian state.
Daudu said that the unity of Nigeria can only be promoted if the nation abides by the principles of equity and fairness in all spheres of governmental life.
He noted that the catalyst for the political chaos, strife, intolerance and incompatibility currently plaguing Nigeria is borne out of the virus of disunity.
“The hopes of our founding fathers as to the unity of Nigerians and Nigeria have been dashed owing to self-inflicted fault lines and fissures.
“Today, Nigeria is one of the most insecure states in the world where we are plagued by local communal clashes, arising from land disputes, old community grudges, farmer-herdsmen clashes, banditry and kidnapping.
“President Tinubu’s Administration should take steps to reset or realign the mentality of the average Nigerian, including politicians, and direct it towards achieving peace, brotherliness, unity, accountability and avoidance of corruption.
“He should ensure even and equitable distribution of projects and resources throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria and ensure that all future elections are not only free and fair, but credible.
“The president should ensure that primary and secondary education throughout Nigeria is free, qualitative and assessable to all school age children.
“He must drastically reduce the number and population of out of school children, which is a time bomb simply waiting to explode’’.
He reiterated that the president must not and cannot afford to be an average leader but be an exceptional leader.
“It is his resolution of issues of critical importance that will earn him the hearts and goodwill of the people in this remaining two years of his current tenure.
“His re-election, as he knows, despite the spate of pretentious defections going on in the country, is not a given.
“His-election, whether he likes it or not, will not be anchored on political manipulations of his teeming promoters and supporters.
“Rather, it will be anchored on his performance in key areas of security and the economy. The choice is yours Mr President,’’ he added.
He suggested that the president summon a National Conference on the resolution of insecurity, where views will be agglomerated and a consensus reached for the executive arm of government to undertake expeditious implementation.
Mr Majeed Dahiru, one of the panelists said that in his assessment, while president Tinubu can be said to have underperformed in the area of security and welfare he has been a better diversity manager.
“This can clearly been seen in his delicate balancing act of inclusion, fairness and equity in the administration of the Nigerian state.
“Tinubu has not only been unable to improve the welfare and security of the Nigerian people but has made it worse through his actions and inactions.
Mr Jide Ojo, also one of the speakers added that it is mid-term for PBAT and half-time is not the time to win a football match.
“Many of the reforms of PBAT have not reached gestation period. The three arms of government must synergize to resolve Nigeria’s development challenges.
“The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) should also get involved in public interest litigation and advocacy for better Nigeria.
“The Civil society and media should work collaboratively to bring government to account and then hope that things will improve and Nigerians will have a new lease of life”.
