Eminent Nigerians this weekend blamed the rising threat of instability in Nigeria on the weak political institutions, high level of corruption of state institutions, external forces and the differences in the interest of the political class.
Speaking on the inaugural annual birthday symposium themed “The rising threat of instability in Nigeria: Domestic and International response” to celebrate Dr Tunji Braithwaite 80th birthday , they also said poverty, total collapse of educational and health care system, politicization of basic human needs, developmental indices and strategies also contributed to the instability in the country.
Discussants at the event were Professor Humphrey Asobie, Professor Pat Utomi, Professor Akin Oyebode, Mr Femi Falana, Alhaji Galtima Liman and Marie Omoruyi Fatayi Williams.
Also present at the event were Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola who was represented by Commissioner for Energy in Lagos State, Mr Taofeek Tijani, Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade who was represented by four traditional chiefs from Ife and Mr Yahaya Ndu.
The keynote Speaker, Professor Asobie said external forces contribute in generating political instability in Nigeria.
His words: “When external forces intervene, they contribute in generating instability in Nigeria but when it serves their national interest, private or business interest, they intervene to reverse the trend of instability and to halt the drift to anarchy”.
”Often, they have alternative programmes to those of the Nigerian people and they have better access than vast majority of Nigerians to the highest authorities in the country and they parade an array of experts that line up behind their alternative programmes and policies” he said.
Speaking on the global political instability in Nigeria, he maintained that Nigeria today is beset by twin challenge of political instability and national insecurity with kidnapping of persons, ritual murder and armed robbery.
On his part, Prof Pat Utomi blamed ignorance as the major problem in Nigeria.
In his submission, radical Lawyer, Mr Femi Falana described the ruling class as selfish individuals who can’t protect its own interest.
He said about “10.5million Nigerian children roam the streets as beggars and hawkers and about 45million illiterate adults, don’t we think these people will end up becoming a threat to the stability of the country”.
