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Gidado blasts critics of Nigeria's federalism

Posted by BY ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina on 2008/10/13 | Views: 577 |

Gidado blasts critics of Nigeria's federalism


Former Finance Minister, Alhaji Abu Gidado, has expressed disbelief that some Nigerian leaders are still canvassing for the restructuring of the country into a loose confederation of ethnic nationalities.

Former Finance Minister, Alhaji Abu Gidado, has expressed disbelief that some Nigerian leaders are still canvassing for the restructuring of the country into a loose confederation of ethnic nationalities.

Reacting to the views of Prof. Tam David West and some Nigerian leaders on the nation's independence anniversary that this country should revert to confederacy because Nigeria as a federation has been a total failure in all aspects of human endeavours, Gidado lamented that some people were still talking about ethnicity and breaking up the country into ethnic groups.

The erstwhile minister who spoke in an exclusive interview with Daily Sun in Katsina argued that the problem with Nigeria as in other third world countries is that many of its so called leaders are primitive.

His words: "Primitive in the real sense of the world; they are people who are not even aware or looking at contemporary history. If at this time a leader would look at Nigeria and hope to disintegrate it through false restructuring and so forth he cannot even look at what is happening else where in the world, it is unfortunate.

"You see, the world is a very small place now. Take Europe, there was a time they fought 100 years war between themselves. Even in contemporary history, World War 1 and World War 11 were wars fought by Europeans between themselves. Now, in terms of thinking, they are not thinking of Germany, UK or France alone. They are thinking of European Union.
"Look at he vast hatred in the past, but because they have developed perceptually, they are now interested in coming together as on unit - European Union. That is in the field of politics. If you look at the field of technology, the story is the same.

"Others are trying to come up in terms of politics of bigger units, Africa with its primitive native thinking is talking about ethnicity, breaking the country into ethnic groups. How can there be peace with that?
"Two, if you look at contemporary politics even in Nigeria, Nigeria has never had it so good until this current republic. If you put all the resources together of the previous governments, they are not up to half of the resources at its disposal. But the leadership (the former President) was too primitive and tribalistic. It just concentrated in destroying the country instead of changing it. I feel sad for Nigeria. We should not be thinking primitively."

According to him, those who couldn't think beyond their tribes or would wish only their tribes should survive would still clamour for only their families even if they go into their small enclaves.
"That disease will still hunt them; they will say only their families alone. They don't believe in extending goodwill or good governance to others", he said.
Asked if it was fair for a section to be ‘parasites' on the other, Gidado who is also the Deputy chairman of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission fired backed in many words.
"A colleague of mine made that remark and I wanted to invite him to come and see Katsina. Katsina is about 250 km in length and probably about 100 km in width. The whole land is tiled except the forest reserve area for grazing.

"With the amount of food that is grown here, I am just quoting Katsina as an example, just look at such a community contributing to the well-being of the country food wise, to say they are parasite is most unfair.
"Before oil was discovered, was there no Nigeria? What effort have they put in to bring in something for the welfare of the nation? This oil, yes, was discovered in their territory, therefore they should benefit. That does not mean they should be rude, to start calling other people parasites.

"We grew cotton to sustain textile industry for the whole country. We produced maize and everything for the breweries in the south. If you take herds of cattle, how many cattle are slaughtered everyday in this country? Quantify them in terms of money. We produce rice, beans and what have you."

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