By Newsie Events Media:
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s former Deputy Governor, Obadiah Mailafia, has blamed the elites for the killings going on in the country.
He recalled that as a village boy, the fulanis living in his area were at peace with everyone, but it’s the elites that are using them against one another.
Mailafa said that the only two choices left now is for a coalition of well meaning Nigerians to gather and agree on a new national project and agenda or we better separate every side to be on their own, adding that Nigerians have a right to decide whether to stay together in an entity, or go their separate ways.
The ex-CBN deputy made this known while participating in an online talk show,
‘The Toyin Falola Interviews,’ with the theme: ‘Nigeria: How to Fix a Failing State,’ on Sunday.
“Nigerians have a choice to stay together as a nation or to be divided. It is in the hands of Nigerians. For me, it is better to go separate ways if that will bring peace,” Mailafia said when asked about the continued existence of the country.
“Having said that, I think the choice is ours. For me, I will say let’s give it at least the last try. But just like in marriage, if people are trying to kill each other in a marriage, it is better for them to be separated for the sake of peace.
“We’re enmeshed in so many ways. You can’t take that away from us. But today, we face huge problems. In spite of those huge problems, the underlying currents of unity are still there,” he said.
Commenting on the problems facing the northern part of the country, the former CBN Deputy Governor noted that the “peculiar disease” facing the north is perpetuated by elites who do not like the country.
“We have a peculiar disease in northern Nigeria perpetuated by elites. They are very bankrupt, they are very jaundiced, and they hate the country.
“That is what I’m beginning to see, because with all these killings, they are not talking. But when you open your mouth small, they say ‘who told you to say that?’
“I’m a village boy. I like to listen to people in the rural areas — the ordinary people — and they have no problem with each other. The Fulani that live in my area, they speak our language.
“It is elites who are fanning, firing these embers of war and civil strife. So, if we can look beyond these and gather a coalition of well-meaning Nigerians to put forward a new agenda and new national project, let’s give it a try.
“So, if we are going to keep slaughtering each other, then it is better to separate every side and then on their own, the Middle Belt could decide who they want to partner with and join Yorubaland, or Oduduwa and Biafra to become another country.
“Let that be their free choice and referendum. This would be an option, instead of slaughtering each other.”
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