Am Not sure Nigeria Would survive It this time — Fayemi

Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has said that the current challenges facing the country, is similar to that of 1993 where the country managed to survive by a whisker.  He said the only reason Nigeria still exists is because of a few leaders in the country who understood the challenge at the time, and worked toward addressing them. 

Kayode made this statement in Ado Ekiti on Friday, at a colloquium held in commemoration of the June 12 1993 Presidential election while speaking on the theme “June12: Securing the Freedom of Democracy”.

He said Nigeria may not survive this time, unless leaders found effective ways to address the issues of agitators in the country.

The governor said there is hardly any doubt that there were calculated plans by some external forces in collaboration with domestic conspirators to dismember Nigeria and cause untold humanitarian crisis, but added that only purposeful leadership can save the country from collapse.

Drawing lessons from the June 12, 1993 elections, he said: 

"For me the most striking lessons is that unity of purpose, open mindedness are needed for our country to escape the relentless efforts of some elements to subvert our country’s corporate existence.

 

"The security challenges that confront us today is a direct threat to the future of our country because of the disunity among Nigeria elite on how to confront what is clearly a threat to their survival.


"Toxic mentoring that glorifies criminality, exacerbating hatred and divide our people should be scrupulously avoided. Nigeria was at such as a precipice in 1993 after the exit of Gen Gbadamosi Babangida but it was at this moment that conscientious leaders came together under the National Democratic Coalition and other various organisations to provide a national direction and a pathway to democracy. The political class elite of the time intentionally involved to curtail the rhetoric of internal issues and to avoid distraction of subverting elements.

 

"That is why we must all come together both those who are in government and those outside the government to challenge our leaders to do the right things. Confront the issues that divide us, promote the issues that unite us, ensure fairness, ensure equity, and ensure justice in our polity. Even as we fight to end criminality, let us unite all forms of bigotry in order to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign."

Meanwhile, Senator Femi Okurounmu, who was one of the activists and political leaders to form the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a movement meant to press for the revalidation of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, has said while they did fought for a Nigeria they believe can work for all, it has however, become clear in view of the current realities in the country, that their efforts were in vain.