Groups such as Afenifere, Pan Niger Delta Forum, Middle Belt Forum, Arewa, and Aka Ikenga have frowned at the plan by the Federal Government of Nigeria to celebrate its 60th Independence anniversary for a year.
The groups condemned the plan, labelling it “a joke” while stating that the President Buhari-led administration lack focus on what Nigeria actually needs to progress and unite.
Recall that the federal government had said the celebration will be observed for a year, ending on September 30, 2021.
This information was disclosed on Wednesday, September 16, while President Muhammadu Buhari announced the theme for the independence celebration at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Reacting to the plan, popular Afeniferi chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said President Buhari and his party were “joking and unfortunately toying with the destiny of the country. How can someone tell us he wants to spend a whole year to mark the anniversary of a nation that is in a crisis? Before we are talking of restructuring but today each of the ethnic nationalities is clamouring for secession and to stand on their own.”
On his part, ex-Kaduna state commissioner, Isuwa Dogo, said: “If Buhari truly meant to unite Nigeria what he should do is to simply adopt the report of the 2014 National Conference and implement it. “Instead of spending 365 days to mark Independence, he can as well spend three months to study the contents of the 2014 National Conference report and use it to restructure the country. The unity that has escaped would return immediately.”
Nigeria is set to celebrate its 60th independence anniversary on October 1, 2020. The theme of this year’s Independence Day celebration is “Together Shall We Be.”
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