Akpabio preaches tolerance in politics

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has said that the socio-political challenges facing Nigeria as a nation can be surmounted if Nigerians were tolerant, peaceable and united.

Chief Akpabio stated this on Tuesday in his message to the National Political Summit organized by the Nigeria Consensus Group held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital.

Represented by his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, the Governor, who anchored his message on the theme Our Strength is Our Unity: Seek Diversity said the strength of Nigeria lies in the unity of Nigerians.

He emphasized the need for the people, irrespective of religious, political or ethnic affiliations to inculcate the spirit of love for one another, promote peaceful co-existence as well as be patriotic in their words and actions.

While appealing to senior citizens and political leaders in the country to use their experiences to help Nigeria remain a united and indivisible entity, Governor Akpabio thanked the organizers of the summit for finding Akwa Ibom, which he described as the Gilgal of Nigeria, fit to host the programme, and promised that the State will continue to support the promotion of peace and harmony among Nigerians.

Delivering a keynote address entitled Roadmap to Stability, Progress and Unity in Nigeria a constitutional lawyer, Prof Ben Nwabueze called on President Goodluck Jonathan to convene a National Conference for representatives of the 389 ethnic groups in the country to deliberate on thorny national issues, with a view to finding solutions to them.

He identified the practice of true federalism as a panacea for uniting a multi-ethnic nationality like Nigeria to help address challenges threatening the Country as a nation.

Prof Nwabueze, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the principle of unity in diversity involves the recognition and entrenchment of ethnic and religious differences in the constitution as the basis for the country’s unity, peace and stability.

The Chairman on the occasion and Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo described the summit, which has as its theme Roadmap to Political and National Security in Nigeria as timely as it came at a time the country is facing political instability and national insecurity.

On her part, a Niger Delta Activist, Ann Kio Briggs, who addressed the misconception about the summit, said the event was not to stop President Jonathan from seeking re-election in 2015, as was being speculated, but to provide a platform for elder statesmen, political leaders and other patriotic Nigerians to chart the way forward of a better Nigeria. Goodwill messages were presented by the Chairman of Middle Belt Forum, Retired Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih, and former President of National Council of Women Societies, Haija Ramatu Bala Usman, a human rights lawyer, Dr Tunji Abayomi, Dr. Arthur Nwankwo, Dr. Bello Dantata and the Project Coordinator, International Colloquium on Igbo Question, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala.

The summit, which drew participants from different parts of the country also had in attendance eminent Nigerians, including a former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, the pioneer Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazuirike Amaechi, Senator Mojisola Akinfenwa, and former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Aisha Ismaili.