The Director General of the Progressives Governors Forum, PGF Mr Salihu Lukman has advised the leadership of Nigeria’s governing party, the All Progressives Congress, APC to sanction its members who promote ethnic hatred and division.
Mr. Lukman gave the advice in a press statement following the reactions and fall out that trailed the Sasha crisis in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
It would be recalled that there were clashes between Hausa and Yoruba traders in Sasha Ibadan on February 12, 2021 following an argument between a Hausa tomato seller and a Yoruba woman who owns a kiosk which led to the death of one.
Mr. Lukman noted that every misunderstanding and security issue around the country is taking an ethnic tone and the conversation in the media concerning these issues is promoting ethnic hatred in the country.
The PGF boss said that APC as the party in government needs to take more proactive steps to promote peaceful coexistence and find a lasting solution to the situation.
“The few cases of deliberations in the chambers of the National Assembly, for instance, were even more worrisome as members just adopt positions based on ethnic consideration, may be expectedly so.
“We could justify this with the argument that this is largely because there was no initiative to guide the position of members by their parties. This is not just a problem of one party. All the parties are guilty.
“Certainly, because APC is the governing party it has to take more responsibility. We must appeal to our leaders to rise up to the challenge of developing proactive responses to the problems of insecurity being compounded by ethnic hatred in the country.
“Our parties must wake up to take all the necessary steps to take decisions, which should guide the response of every leader and member. This is not just a partisan matter.
“As we move towards 2023, this is going to be a serious problem. It is important that our parties are able to consider new approaches that should challenge our political leaders to become leaders and champions of peaceful co-existence.
“With all the attacks against APC, it has the best potential of coming up with initiatives that can push political leaders to work for peaceful co-existence in the country. This is because apart from being a ruling party with the responsibility of providing political leadership, it is also a party that has committed itself to bringing about political change in the country.
As a member of the party, I am always proud to acknowledge the fact that our leaders don’t shy away from recognising problems,” Lukman said.
He also called on Nigerians to disassociate themselves from all campaigns of ethnic hatred.
Mr. Lukman noted that leaders need to ensure justice and fairness at all times adding that injustice is the major cause of ethnic hatred in Nigeria.
“The need to guarantee justice at all times, irrespective of who is affected is about the only route for peaceful co-existence in the country. Once that is compromised, the foundation of our democracy will be eroded.
Once we can’t guarantee fairness, we should delete the word love in our vocabulary. Therefore, we must demand that our political leaders should show love to themselves by ensuring fair conduct of all citizens as a basis for citizens’ love to leaders and the nation,” Lukman said.
He also pointed the need for non-governmental organisations such as Trade unions, civil society, religious and traditional organisations to access the situation and make demands on the government for positive policy changes.
