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| Abdulsalami Abubakar |
Some eminent citizens gathered yesterday to seek a solution to the rising tension in the land.
It was at a two-day discussion, which opened in Minna, the Niger State capital.
The forum, organised by the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, was chaired by Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, who cautioned that disintegration would not solve Nigeriaโs problems.
Gambari, a one-time External Affairs minister, said the problems could only be resolved through dialogue.
He said: โThere can be no genuine military solution to conflicts, except dialogue. We have to realise the vision of our founding fathers, which is a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria.โ
Stating that team-building guarantees the foundation for conflicts resolution, Prof Gambari said: โThe forum should not be a mere paper work but taking real action. A lot is expected from this forum. We must not allow things to fall apart.โ
A communique is expected at the end of the two-day forum taking place at the Abdulsalami Abubakar farm in Minna.
Gen. Abdulsalami drew the attention of governments at all levels to the need to take urgent actions in reducing the growing tension in the land.
The former Head of State warned that the growing tension and resentment will get out of hand if no action is taken.
He called for dialogue and peaceful coexistence in addressing the prevailing insecurity.
Gen. Abdulsalami said: โThere is anger in the land and the voices of reason are growing very rapidly. It is clear that the situation requires that we all live up to the expectations of a nation that puts so much value on elders and leaders.
โWe are all here as Nigerians who share responsibility for the state of our nation. Therefore, if any forum can help in the accurate identification of the problems and solutions for a united peaceful Nigeria, let us be counted among such fora.โ
โThis roundtable is the centreโs contribution to the search for solutions to some of the problems we are currently experiencing as a nation, particularly issues and matters around co-existence and security.
โNigeria is going through a period of trial amidst growing tension and resentment all over the country.โ
The former military leader said that the situation in the country required leaders to live up to the peopleโs expectations.
He said that the outcome of the meeting would be made available to the federal and state governments as well as other institutions for consideration and action.
Gen. Abdulsalami explained that the roundtable was not a mini National Conference or a forum to review the countryโs constitution.
Host Governor and Special Guest Abubakar Bello said the challenges confronting the nation โare surmountable but require sincerity of stakeholdersโ.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Matane, the governor lauded the Institute for initiating the roundtable.
Dignitaries at the roundtable include: Bayelsa State Traditional Rulersโ Council Chairman Alfred Diete Spiff; Emir of Minna Umar Bahago; Emir of Kazaure Najib Adamu; Gen. Alani Akirinnade; Gen. IBM Haruna; Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi; Prof Ango Abdullahi; Prof Kingsley Moghalu; Mrs. Josephine Anenih and a ministerial nominee, Ambassador Zubairu Dada.
Expected at the forum were representatives of Afenifere, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Northern Eledersโ Forum (NEF); Ohanaeze, Arewa Consultative Forum and Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
But the groups, excluding MACBAN, boycotted the conference.
They hinged their decision to opt out at the talks on what it called reservations about the inclusion of the Miyetti Allah.
The groups announced their withdrawal in a joint statement issued under the name of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF).
Members of the Forum declared that they cannot sit to discuss security issues with MACBAN.
