Ethiopia once found itself in this mess Nigeria is in today; ethnic/ religious tension and suspicion. The struggle to control power by the various ethnic and religious groups became eminent that the interest of the masses wasnt occupying the minds of politicians. As a result of this, Eritrea had to break away from Ethiopia. To avert further disintegration, Ethiopia had to call for national conference, after which a referendum was conducted and this led to the suspension of the constitution/ system of governemnt they operated then. Today,Ethiopia is the most peaceful country in Africa and no ethnic group has tested the section of their constitution that gives right to self determination and secession. What about South Africa? south Africa realised that the apartheid constitution imposed on them by the whites was inimical to development. They suspended it and a new constitution that exists for the interest of the masses emerged. What is the problem of Nigeria? Why are some people afraid of national dialogue and subjecting its outcome to a referendum? Why should we send the outcome of the national dialogue to the national assembly that has failed Nigerians? The same people against national dialogue are against biometric census, local government autonomy, abolition of quota system and federal character, passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), equal state for all geopolitical zones, true federalism, name it. These are some of the policies that can help put Nigeria on the path of development and give everyone a sense of belonging. My question now is: should we take the path of Yugoslovia that refused to address its problems till all its component units disintegrated?
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 08:11:48 +0000