At the ninth Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture in Lafia, Nasarawa State, former Governor of Niger State and chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Babangida Aliyu, gives tips on the imperative of political stability.
Ahead of the change of political baton at the federal and many of the states in the country, notable Nigerians have been calling for deliberate efforts by those at the helm of affairs to ensure the unity of the country.
This was the call by a former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial 9th Lecture in Lafia, Nasarawa State recently.
In less than three weeks from now, Nigeria will be having a new president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Also, 28 out of the 36 states will be having either new governors or those re-elected to serve for the next four years.
Aliyu, who is the chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) of Talban Minna, Sardaunan Hausa, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture, said all levels of government must do their part to attain national unity in the country.
He said: “I wish to make a vow to achieve national unity which will lead Nigeria to achieve sustainable democracy; dialogue and tolerance must be encouraged by the various tiers of governments.
“We must recognize that abject poverty and mass unemployment can be catalysts for violence, so we must create gainful employment and introduce institutionalized social welfare to those who might need it.”
Speaking on the theme, ‘Credible 2023 general elections as a panacea to search for quality leadership’, the former governor urged all political actors and civil societies to enhance our electioneering process.
He said one of the key points of democracy is free and fair elections that boost the confidence of the people and the international community. His words: “The importance of having credible, free and fair elections where Nigerians would have felt they have been given a level playing field to usher in leaders that will be acceptable to the generality of the populace.
“Without a conducive atmosphere, free of rancour, violence, ballot snatching, intimidation of voters and vote buying, rigging and all other attendant vices that could mar and make the results of the elections unacceptable, the development would continue to elude us as a nation.
“If we do not produce credible and honest leaders, we shall lose the ground already gained through the democratic process while Nigerians may lose confidence in the system and the country.”
Aliyu also tasked the incoming government to encourage foreign investment into the country by tightening the security architecture of the country.
“To consolidate on the gains of democracy that have been established to provide a conducive atmosphere for social and economic development to take place, the security of the environment and stability of policies influence foreign direct investments which most developing economies depend upon of which Nigeria is no exception.”
He charged our political leaders to imbibe the virtues of character, discipline, humility and the fear of God, as servants to the Nigerian people.
“The generation including Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Nnamdi Azikiwe of blessed memory, led when character, discipline and humility were the hallmarks of governance and administration.
“The First Republic produced leaders that had a sense and honesty of purpose, with the genuine love for and of the people guided by the principle of service to the people. “They were motivated by the fear of God that they would one day account for their actions and deeds in the hereafter.”
The former governor also called for transparency in their dealings, saying the governed have the right to know what’s happening within the government’s circle.
“In Nigeria today, everything is top secret –including the sickness of our leaders. Is it not possible to create and build a nation amongst disparate tribes, multi-ethnic groups, and different and often divisive religions, regions, and states?
“It is possible if we get the people to have confidence in the institutions, leaders, governments and the whole system.
“This should be our assignment not only in Nigeria but also in Africa. We must create an environment to have credible elections that can further entrench democracy in our country.
“When we get it right in Nigeria, many African countries shall get it right.”