Ex-envoy, Abdullahi supports NEF on referendum
Chima Azubuike
Former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Ibrahim Abdullahi, has aligned with calls by the Northern Elders Forum saying instead of another civil war agitating groups should explore referendum.
Abdullahi, who was appointed ambassador during the reign of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, made this call on Sunday, in an interview with journalists, while recalling the sad experience of the first war where the country lost lives and property.
According to him, the peace of the country is highly imperative, stressing that a referendum would avert another civil war in Nigeria.
The Octogenarian statesman who confirmed his admiration for the country bemoaned what he described deliberate attempt by South-East sociopolitical organisation Ohaneze Ndigbo to misinterprete the counsel of the Northern Elders Forum.
He said, “The recent statement by the Northern Elders Forum which sounded straight forward to me where they said since the agitation for the balkanisation of Nigeria has continued so any group that feels they must go should be given the opportunity. Unfortunately, it seems to be misinterpreted by Ohaneze Ndigbo.
“Many of us that experienced the civil war, it remains fresh in our minds. We will not like to fight another civil war
I’m one of those who love Nigeria and will not want it to go through another civil war. Referendum is an honest democratic process and the rest of us should obey the decision of the referendum. What the Northern Elders Forum said is an alternative to a civil war.”
He added saying, “It is an honest statement and there is nothing criminal about it. I think we should avoid a situation where we inflict very serious injuries and sit down to realise that we have no other country.
While lamenting the increasing level of poverty in Nigeria, the former Minister of Education, Science and Technology said Nigerians have no business being poor.
He urged political office holders on accountability, integrity, adding leaders would be answerable to God for impoverishing their followers.
According to him, “It dawned on me when I saw a 60 years old man applied for a labourer work. When they refused to engage him he began to wept that he does know how to survive, the man claimed he didn’t eat the previous day.”
