Nigerians know who to blame if the country breaks — Amaechi

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has said calls for the restructuring of the country and other agitations, are naturally genuine, since according to him, are all the result of the collective failure of leadership both past and present, in making sure Nigeria works for all.

Amaechi stated this while delivering the 34th Convocation Lecture of the University of Calabar, titled “The National Question and the Challenges of Nationhood in Nigeria” held on Friday in Calabar.

The former Rivers State Governor, also said the massive challenges facing the Country, predates the Buhari administration, but the current government has been the target of criticism and condemnation. 

He also, “In recent days, we have begun to hear loud voices of disunity from various sections of the country.

“In response to current economic difficulties and the problem of insecurity, some have insisted on the now familiar argument for restructuring of the federation.

“Others have advocated increased regional autonomy. Some extremists are calling for secession of parts of the country from the federation.

“None of these divisive options would serve the urgent needs of this nation or the long term aspiration of all our people for a better life in a happier nation.

“Let me say without any fear that the concerns being raised by Nigerians about the future of our country are legitimate. They are indications of great patriotism and love,” he added.

Amaechi noted that the country was treasured by all Nigerians who are anxious that it transforms into a better place for all.

He added that ethnicity and class, Poverty and inequality are a major part of the problem, describing poverty as one of the greatest threats to the country’s national unity and survival.

“For the avoidance of doubt, let me state that the desperate poverty that we have today has its roots in dispensations that came before the Buhari administration.

“Specifically, our epidemic of mass poverty dates back to the return of civil rule in our country. It is unfair to heap the responsibility for the prevalence of poverty and inequality on this or any one administration in the history of the country.

“I have a personal conviction that of all the challenges facing our nation’s actualisation, none is more urgent than the scourge of increasing poverty and the threat of massive inequality.

“We must attack and conquer inequality and extreme poverty or the poor will overrun Nigeria.

“Let us take the threat of mass poverty seriously and elevate inequality to the status of a perennial national emergency in the years ahead.

“Nearly all the troubles that confront us as a nation can be traced to either direct poverty or the fear that the scourge of poverty could rise one day to devour the fortunes of the rich and prosperous,” he said.