Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians to remain united despite their current existential challenges and struggles for economic survival.
In his goodwill message on the occasion of Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary, issued by his Media Adviser to Paul Ibe, the former vice-president expressed concern at the level of disunity, intolerance and bigotry in the country, which resulted in conflicts with its attendant losses of human lives and property.
He also called on governments at all levels to enunciate policies that would lead to improved standards of living for the average Nigerian even as he assured that the future ahead of us as a nation will be brighter and better.
According to him, disunity does not help Nigerians because it made it impossible for them to unite for a mutually beneficial common cause, adding that diversity is not a bad thing in itself, but what matters is the transformation of the diversity into strength.
The former PDP presidential candidate explained that when the citizens are united, they are more likely to bring about the desired change than when they are divided.
He added that Nigerians can defeat divide and rule politics if they are united behind their common interests.
Atiku reminded leaders at all levels of the imperative of making the nation’s democracy work for all through justice, equity, fairness and even the spread of development across the country.
The Wazirin Adamawa regretted that despite the vast oil resources extreme poverty and joblessness have remained persistent, adding that “there is no excuse that 61 years after independence, extreme poverty is still the ordinary citizen in the face”.
He advocated for bipartisan initiatives by political leaders to address the spate of insecurity compounded by joblessness and poor living conditions.
Abubakar wished Nigerians, at home and abroad, a happy Independence Day anniversary.
