Practise what you preach - Afenifere, Ohanaeze say as Buhari preaches unity -

President Muhammadu Buhari’s call on Nigerians to desist from actions and comments that could jeopardize the unity and progress of the nation has rubbed some leading sociocultural groups the wrong way.

Buhari had made the call on Wednesday while launching the the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) Emblem and Appeal Fund in Abuja.

He said, “We honour the memory of our gallant officers and men who have paid the supreme sacrifice in order to keep the country united as one entity. The nation remains grateful for the efforts and sacrifice of the Armed Forces especially in the fight against insurgency and other internal security challenges confronting Nigeria.

“The Armed Forces Remembrance Day or Veterans Day as it is known in some parts of the world is an important event observed in commemoration of the end of the Second World War.

“In Commonwealth member countries, the Remembrance Day is observed on November 11 yearly. However, for us, the date was changed to January 15 annually to accommodate the commemoration of the end of the Nigerian Civil War.

“Therefore, the occasion reminds us of the need to guard jealously the unity of the nation which was won at a great cost.

“It also serves as a reminder for our citizens to desist from divisive actions and comments that could jeopardize the unity and progress of the nation. Nigeria’s strength lies in her diversity.”

But Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo sociocultural groups accused the president of being an agent of disunity, urging him to practise what he preaches.

National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin said Buhari’s actions since his election in 2015 left much to be desired.

“This sermon sounds like, do as I say but not as I do. He should lead by example and not precepts. Words are cheap but examples are hard.

“The way to stop divisiveness is to stop promoting the interest of herdsmen above other Nigerians and stop behaving like the President of a corner of Nigeria,” the Afenifere spokesman said.

National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prince Uche Achi-Okpaga said Buhari’s actions were at variance with his words.

“They (Buhari’s actions and policies) seem ethnic as they are religiously inclined.

“He has just reappointed Prof Yakubu Mamoud as the INEC Chairman for a second term of five years. Under Mamoud as INEC Chairman, a new chapter of inconclusive elections was opened in Nigerian electoral process coupled with a staccato of electoral litigation in which some governors are described as Supreme Court governors.

“Apart from that, must he appoint his tribesman? Babangida appointed Prof Humphrey Nwosu, Obasanjo appointed Prof Maurice Iwu, Goodluck Jonathan appointed Prof Atahiru Jega, all different from the tribes of their respective appointers.

“Look at the RUGA issue. It was designed to take the land of the indigenous people and give to Fulani herders most of whom are not even Nigerians. It was severely rejected by Nigerians. As if that was not enough, his government brought the National Water Ways Bill,” he told The Punch.