Abuja — The recent call by Libyan President, Muammar Gaddafi that Nigeria be split into two has been described as a statement made out of ignorance of the composition of Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.
Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and Nigeria's former Ambassador to the United States, Senator Jibril Aminu while reacting to the call described it as an "impracticable solution to the current pockets of crises in Nigeria."
"I have respect for President Muammar Gaddafi but his suggestion lacks merit and it is not a reflection of the position of majority of Nigerians. What will become of Muslims in the southern part of Nigerian or what will happen to Christians in the North? Will you ask them to leave their kits and kins and join others with whom they do not share any socio cultural affinity" ?
Senator Aminu who is currently chairing a Senate Committee on the Jos crises, declared that Nigerians must learn to live together in peace and harmony saying that the current crisis in Jos has nothing to do with religion.
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"You know that there is no state in Nigeria without a mixture of both Christians and Muslims. In Adamawa for example, we have families with both Christians and Muslims.
Are you going to split the family along religious line? How will that work?
It would be recalled that in a speech to a group of students the Libyan President relied on the India and Pakistan example, to argue that such partition will save lives as it did in those countries.
But Senator Aminu opined that despite what has been seen as "success" the said countries have been engulfed in endless crises.
Senator Aminu noted that Nigeria's greatness lies in its diverse socio ethnic composition and huge population saying that many African nations look up to Nigeria for leadership.
"Our size and population is the source of envy to these smaller countries and many will do more to ensure that we are fragmented to reduce the advantages that we have over them" he said.
Adding "Our elected leaders must live up to expectation. They must work hard to ensure that the people leave in peace and harmony"
Senator Aminu who blames poor leadership qualities for the crises witnessed in some parts of the country called on the leaders to address the problems squarely, sincerely without sentiments and prejudice.
He noted that the blood bath in Jos and other parts of the country are avoidable especially when leaders live up to their responsibilities.
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It is not Nigeria that should be broken up. The power that is centralized in the hands of the Few,namely the Federal Government must be broken up for the survival and long term interests of the country. No nation, as diversed as Nigeria can be governed effectively from the center.The Federal government should only be involved in Resource Allocation,Nation Building Ideas, Aviation and National Defence. Every problem that ails Nigeria today, can be attributed to the Federal Government having too much power and as we all now know "Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely". Most of the tasks(deliveries of health, education and housing,for example) being undertaken by the Federal Government can easily be done at the State Government levels and the Local Government Levels with the least of Corruption. Senator Aminu, if really sincere about the well being of Nigerians, should encourage his fellow Senators to convene a Constitutional Conference to address power sharing with the State Governments to achieve the necessary decentralization of power that will ensure a stable democracy in Nigeria.