—The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government of “dividing Nigeria”, adding that this disposition of the government is responsible for various agitations across the country.
Speaking on some national issues, he advised the federal government to be equitable, fair and just to all sections of the country, especially the Igbo people, whom he said had been grossly marginalised.
The governor noted that the Igbo have been made to suffer forever because of their role in the civil war, pointing out that; “It is the legitimate right of the people to agitate if they feel they are wrongly treated.
“Without mincing words, the present government has divided Nigeria more than ever. It is the legitimate right of the people to agitate if they feel they are wrongly treated. You can’t get peace where there is no justice.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. It is the wish of some people that an Igbo man does not become the president but this is against the spirit and letters of our constitution,” Fayose said.
Instead of using force in its bid to quell agitations for Biafra republic, he advised the federal government to dialogue with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, and release other members of the group still in detention.
The governor called on the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to put in more efforts to be able to address some daunting challenges confronting the country.
“The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is doing his best but that is not enough. We must remember that those who make positive change impossible make violent change inevitable. A situation where a section will be suffering forever because of their role in the civil war is not fair.
“As much as secession is not an option, the handlers of our democracy must be equitable, fair and just to everyone. The Igbo have continued to suffer because of the perceived role of Emeka Ojukwu. If we say past governments didn’t do well, what has the present government done differently?
“I agree that secession is not desirable but there must be justice and equity. When people are being killed or vilified, you must expect a reaction. No region should begin to use power to oppress another,” he said.
Speaking on the way forward, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum called for a review of “the revenue sharing formula because it is not a true reflection of our collective interest. For the country to move forward, the states should take over economically.”
Nigeria’s Health Minister, Professor Isaac Adewole, speaks on health matters in the country. Excerpts: Can you share your thoughts on what your sector has done in two years and the challenges you have? (Cuts in) I have been part of the healthcare system for a long time and I have seen a lot of it over the years. I have been a critic of the health system before now and now I am inside the system. I used to say then that we should have this or that but I have come to see the whole gamut of the system and we are working very hard to make it work better for all. That is what I can say about that. So given that hindsight what are you doing differently? What I will do differently is what I call strategic engagement. I will be focused, I will pick a few things and hit them right. I will not deceive myself and the people of Nigeria that I can solve all the problems in the health sector in just one day. It is not just possible and we must be ready to tell Nigerians nothing but the pla...
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