By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has blamed Nigeria’s political elite for the country’s growing disunity, warning that divisions among leaders are undermining national cohesion and progress.
Makinde spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the public presentation of “Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration,” a book by former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
He said ordinary Nigerians across ethnic, religious and regional lines largely desire unity, but accused the political elite of exploiting identity differences to pursue personal ambitions.
According to him, Nigeria needs an elite consensus that cuts across party lines to confront present challenges and design solutions suited to current realities.
“Ordinary Nigerians already have a consensus that they want to be Nigerians. But we the elites are the ones dividing the country because of our ambition,” Makinde said.
The governor also called for far-reaching political reforms, noting that the issues facing Nigeria today differ from those that shaped post-civil war arrangements such as federalism and multi-party democracy.
Makinde, who clarified that he is not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said his presence at the event underscored the need for national dialogue beyond partisan lines and stressed that he was not defecting to the ruling party.
Earlier, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, called for credible elections and constitutional reforms, warning that weak democratic processes could lead to instability.
He advocated decentralisation, stronger institutions and strict adherence to the rule of law.
