A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher has said Nigeria as a nation at war with itself. Musdapher spoke as guest speaker at a public lecture to mark the 75th birthday of the father of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Suarau Alani Bankole, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. The public lecture, which attracted prominent personalities from across the country, was entitled, ‘The question of Nigerian unity’. In his words, the former CJN said: “Hard work, brilliance, honesty and integrity in our dealings are no longer rewarded. Rather, we celebrate mediocrity soaked in the corruption we claim is our Common enemy. I am scared and deeply worried.
“The situation is grave and the media, the 4th estate of the realm, has a big role to play in this crusade. It is rather worrisome that after over 100 years since the amalgamation of the northern and the southern protectorates in 1914 ,we seem as divided as ever. These realities force us to question if indeed Nigerian today was the amalgamation of separate regions in an arranged marriage that some argue only lasted while the matchmakers, colonial Britain was still around and in control. The union remains as un-negotiated union in the minds of many Nigerians. Hence, I am of the view that, without the clear undemanding of the root causes or our seemingly confused social system, we cannot even begin to make up with the strategies and solution that are capable of dousing the negative effects of disunity and firmly bringing our nation within respectable or acceptable level of social decency”.
