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Executive Director of the African Centre for Peace and Development (ACPD), Shehu Sani has advocated the political and economic restructuring of the country, lamenting that the dream of Nigeria’s founding fathers has been destroyed by its ‘founding fathers.’
His words: “While we are building new bridges over the River Niger to link the North and South, the bridges in the souls and hearts of Nigerians that linked them up to one another have since broken down into pieces.
“Nigeria’s political leaders purport nationalism when speaking in English, but promote ethnic chauvinism when speaking in their native languages. That is corrosive to the spirit of nationalism.”
He also described Nigeria’s 59 years attempt at poverty eradication and respect for human rights as appalling, tragic and woeful.
“We have become a belligerent, combative and intolerant nation of religious extremists, sectional champions and tribal warriors and warlords.
“Nigerian leaders have abandoned nationalism and behave like tribal conquerors, who impose their wills and wishes on the people of their occupied territories.
“The white horses in our coat of arms has been dismounted and redeployed to pull the luxurious chariots of a selected power elite.
“Over the years, our nationalist and patriotic spirit has been dampened by the failures of successive governments in the country and the only moment Nigerians are patriotic about their country is when the super eagle is on the winning path.
He lamented that nepotism erodes patriotism and nationalism just as the dream of building a united and prosperous nation would remain a mirage as long as Nigerians continue to run and maintain a system that politically and economically disenfranchised and marginalised some sections of the country and their peoples to the perpetual advantage of others.
