Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says the outcome of the general election has further amplified Nigeria’s fault lines instead of fostering mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
Obasanjo said this on Thursday in Abuja at the presentation of a book authored by Tunji Olaopa.
Obasanjo said the elections have placed the burden of national reconciliation on the incoming administration in order to address the deep-seated animosity and division among Nigerians, which were engendered by the election.
Obasanjo described the election outcome as a show of shame, noting that he can’t keep quiet about what transpired during the elections.
He added that that it behooves him to contribute his quota in ensuring that Nigeria becomes a country where dreams and potential of every citizen can be realised.
He said efforts are required to rescue the country from its launch into dystopia, adding that it would only be possible with a common vision.
“Given what we saw during the election, Nigeria is now even more divided and more corroded than we thought. This places a deep onus on any administration following the current one, to urgently facilitate the process of national moral rearmament and national reconciliation for the aggrieved and will lead us across Nigeria and to assuage the youth,” Obasanjo said.
“This must be done in sync with the imperative of national value orientation that Nigeria requires to build a collective sense of enduring and local values and national belonging.
“Let me conclude by stating clearly that I am now too old to keep quiet and watch Nigeria’s seemingly clueless launch into dystopia. All efforts are now required from all committed patriots to rescue the nation from the precipice. And when I look at the audience I have a feeling that among the people who can do it and who must do it are some of you here.
“It has become my own personal obligation, continuing in my relentless service as a letterman, dedicated in my twilight years to say the truth, as I see it, so as to push Nigeria in the direction of our collective aspirations. What is our collective aspiration? A better society where all Nigerians can become what the Almighty God destined [them] to be.
“At times like this, some of us have to adopt the attitude of being known to be blind and not being afraid of the dark. But we must continue to work for the light of all.”
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