Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice
Dahiru Musdapher, on Saturday said the 2015 Presidential election
further divided the nation, as the election was marked by demarcations
along ethnic, regional, partisan and religious lines.
Musdapher, who was CJN between August
2011 and July 2012, also warned that Nigerians were treading a path that
threatens the continued peace and unity of the country.
Speaking as guest speaker at a lecture
organised to mark the 75th birthday of the father of former Speaker of
House of Representatives, Chief Alani Bankole, in Abeokuta, Musdapher
said “it is rather worrisome that after over 100 years since the
amalgamation of the northern and the southern protectorates in 1914,
Nigerians seemed as divided as ever.”
“I am scared and deeply worried”, he said, adding that “the situation is grave.”
“I am scared and deeply worried”, he said, adding that “the situation is grave.”
He said: “The union remains as
un-negotiated union in the minds of many Nigerians. Hence, I am of the
view that, without the clear understanding of the root causes or our
seemingly confused social system, we cannot even begin to make up with
the strategies and solution that are capable of dousing the negative
effects of disunity and firmly bringing our nation within respectable or
acceptable level of social decency”, he said.
According to him, these realities have
thrown up the question of whether indeed Nigeria today is the
amalgamation of separate regions in an arranged marriage that some argue
only lasted while the matchmakers, colonial Britain, was still around
and in control.
The former CJN noted that favouritism,
nepotism and tribal sentiments had made it impossible to run a
merit-driven-system in Nigeria.
He said: “Hard work, brilliance, honesty
and integrity in our dealings are no longer rewarded. Rather, we
celebrate mediocrity soaked in the corruption we claim is our common
enemy.”
Noting that the fourth estate of the
realm has a big role to play in this crusade, he said he was also aware
“today that most media houses have an editorial policy and clear leaning
towards sectional and myopic perspectives. Tribal and nepotic leanings
are present in most issues debated or reported in our media.”
He said “The government-owned media
showcase the activities of the government with little or no critique in
contrast to the harsh realities faced by millions of subscribers of
these news media.
“Newspapers and media owned and operated by politicians are mostly reflective of the interest of their principals as opposed to the need to permanently side with the truth and Justice.
“Newspapers and media owned and operated by politicians are mostly reflective of the interest of their principals as opposed to the need to permanently side with the truth and Justice.
“It has become commonplace for one to
read of an ‘Igbo’ presidency or ‘northern’ presidency in line with a
tacit approval of outright nepotism by majority of Nigerians .
Musdapher however, urged the government to develop a tradition of continuity and positive transition from one administration to the next.
Musdapher however, urged the government to develop a tradition of continuity and positive transition from one administration to the next.
In his remarks, the celebrant, Chief
Alani Bankole, said he would have celebrated his 70th birthday five
years ago, but shelved it following the prosecution of his son, the
former Speaker.
Bankole said, he had begun plans for the
70th birthday, but, when his son, who just relinquished office of the
Speaker was arrested and prosecuted he had to cancel it.
He however, urged young politicians to practise developmental politics, saying, politics shouldn’t lead to hatred among themselves.
He however, urged young politicians to practise developmental politics, saying, politics shouldn’t lead to hatred among themselves.
Dignitaries at the event include,
Speaker of the House of Representations, Hon. Yakubu Dogara; his deputy,
Hon.Yusuf Lasun; minority leader, Hon Oyenma Chuchu; Ogun State
Governor Ibikunle Amosun; former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun
Osoba,; Secretary to the State government, Bar. Taiwo Adeoluwa; and the
Managing Director and Editor-In-Chief, Vanguard, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye.
Others include, Former Judge of the
World Court, Haque, Prince Bola Ajibola; former governor of Jigawa
state, Sule Lamido; former minister of sport, Mr Taoheed Adedoja; Oba of
Lagos, HRH Oba Rildwan Akinolu, and the Oliwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed
Akanwo among other traditional rulers.
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