Fayemi: Ethnic Bigotry Fueling Insecurity, Secessionist Agitation

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has blamed security challenges nationwide on the growing embers of ethnic and religious bigotry that has become prevalent in the country.

He made these remarks during a colloquium commemorating the June 12 1993 election in Ado Ekiti on Friday, blaming insecurity and separatist agitation on ethno-religious bigotry.

Among others, National Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Hon Olawale Osun; Coordinator, Ekiti ARG, Elder Bunmi Awotiku, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, Gaskia Media Limited, Mr. Dare Babarinsa and Chairperson, Ado Local Government, Mrs. Motunde Fajuyi.

Speaking at the colloquium, Fayemi said one of the beautiful precedents and truths that June 12 established about Nigeria “is that diversity does not mean irreconcilable differences.”
He explained that the way ethno-religious differences did not dictate the voting pattern and electoral outcome of the June 12 election revealed that if the elites united on the way forward, the whole country would follow.

He said: “Together, we can achieve the country of our dreams. On the contrary, if the focus is to keep digging out and amplifying what offends one segment against the other, we would continue to compound the current crises.

“We celebrate June 12 because it represents the possibility of a new Nigeria where, our fault lines will become our best lines, and our diversity becomes our strength.
“As we observe the 2021 Democracy Day, we all start a new conversation around a democracy that instils confidence in the citizenry and holds a promise of a better life for all,” Fayemi said with assurance for a national rebirth.

He said that even as the country fought to end criminality, Nigerians must unite to end all forms of bigotry, which inspires violent reactions.

Fayemi said that posterity would be kind to President Muhammadu Buhari for instituting and recognising June 12 as Democracy Day.

He said: today’s event “offers a unique opportunity to reminisce on the milestone that the June 12 election represents and reconfigures our national psyche to embrace the possibility of a nation where primordial sentiments and divisive tendencies no longer dominate national discourse.
“It is another opportunity to review the chain of events around the epoch and take a few lessons therefrom. This day should always remind us about the collective sacrifices made to elect a democratic government – it should remind us that Nigerians can set aside differences and be unified around a common goal and objective.

“Although the June 12 election was won by Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, it was an unpleasant national catastrophe that set our nation backward by many years. The events, as unpleasant as they were, provided us with a simulation of our internal strength and resilience to withstand very inclement socio-political weather.”

Fayemi said the challenge confronting Nigeria remained that of insecurity in the face of a very difficult economic situation occasioned by the pandemic and other resulting incidents, saying this can be tackled if Nigerians are united.

“In a way, it seems that the myriad of security challenges and violent crimes facing the nation from all flanks left our security forces almost overwhelmed. Even though the Boko-Haram insurgency was racing down the hill, a new variant of violent criminality in the form of banditry now confronts the nation.”