Dayo Benson & James Ezema
12 November 2009
Lagos — A former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Alani Akinrinade (rtd), yesterday warned that the country risks disintegration unless true federalism is restored.
He also regretted his participation in the Nigerian-Biafran civil war.
Akinrinade said if he had known that the country would find itself in its present state, he would not have fought in the war to keep the country together.
He spoke at a forum, "The New Nigeria Dialogue" organised by the International Centre for Reconstruction and Development to mark the 55th birthday of Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly in Lagos.
According to him, "If I had known that the country would turn to what it is today, I would not have fought the civil war to keep Nigeria one."
He stressed that as a soldier he would fight to defend the country against external aggressors but would never fight internal war again.
He described the sacrifice and patriotic duty as a waste of time and efforts, declaring that post-civil war Nigeria is not a country of his dream.
Speakers, including Professor Ropo Sekoni, Mr. Alfred Ilenre, Chief Fred Agbeyegbe and Mr. Tony Nnadi spoke on: "The Nigerian Federation: Fundamental Flaws and Creative Reforms."
At the event, chaired by ex-governor of Lagos State, Rear-Admiral Ndubusi Kanu (rtd), were ex-Osun State Gov, Chief Bisi Akande; Dr. Amos Akingba, Mr. Wale Oshun, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, Mr. Tokunbo Ajasin, Mr. Bisi Adegbuyi, Mr. Adedapo Adeniran, Mr. Sam Ayedogbon and others.
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With due respect to General Alani Akinrinade (rtd), and the comment credited to him recently on the Nigerian Civil War, i hasten to add the following: 1) The events that precipitated and culminated to the War, are not compartible and much more unparalleled to the issues we currently have at stake talking about our country's unity and progress. 2) In the realm of socio-political emancipation, the generation of Nigerians, that perpetuated that evil, we call War, are still very much around, and sowing the seeds of discord in a changing situation. They want to retain the "status quo", if you will because it soothes their Hegemonic situation. 3) Now, the rest of all that is history, we as concerned nigerians, particularly those in diaspora, want more and eager to give more to a place we love to call our own. In the corollary, i hate to disagree with our respected General, on his comment as published, but will defend to death, his right to say those words. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria ! My home, sweet home. Eben Dairo, Ph.D.
THE ONLY FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVE FOR NIGERIAS TO GET RELEEVED FROM THE PRESENT OPPRESSION FROM BAD LEADERSHIP IS FOR TE COUNTRY TO DISINTEGRATE TO THE SIX GEO-POLITICAN DIVSIONS OF TE COUNTRY.