There is Anger in the Land, Abubakar Warns

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has warned that there is growing anger in the country. 

Abubakar who spoke on Monday in Minna at a 2-day Roundtable discussions organized by the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development said the present situation in the country requires that everyone live up to expectations to stop the slide towards anarchy. 

“We are all here as Nigerians who share responsibility for the state of our nation. Therefore, if any forum can help in accurate identification of the problems and solution for a united and peaceful Nigeria, let us be counted as one of such fora,” he said.

Explaining the reason behind the Roundtable discussions, he said, “This roundtable is the centre’s contribution to the search for solutions to some of the problems we are currently experiencing as a nation, particularly issues and matters around co-existence and security.

“Nigeria is going through a period of trial amidst growing tension and resentment all over the country.

“There is anger in the land and the voices of reason are drowning very rapidly. It is clear that the situation requires that we all live up to the expectations of a nation that puts so much value in elders and leaders.”

Present at the roundtable were retired generals including two former Chiefs of Defense Staff, General Alani Akirinade and General Martin Luther Agwai.

Others are General Ishola Williams, Major General IBM Haruna, Brigadier General Haliru Akilu and Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia.

Also at the event were former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi; former Nigeria’s Permanent Representatives to the United Nations Professor Ibrahim Gambari; Professor Auwalu Yadudu and Professor Ango Abdullahi, Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, former Military Governor of Rivers State and the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass in Bayelsa State, Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff and Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouq Bahago.

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) had, at the last minute, pulled out of a roundtable cited the invitation of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as their reason.