By Correspondent in Ilorin
The Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA) has urged Nigerians advocating secession as solution to the myriad of challenges confronting the country to retrace their steps.
Instead, the association recommended dialogue as a crucial option for addressing the current challenges facing the nation.
Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin, Kwara State capital on Wednesday, NPSA President, Prof Hassan Salihu said,dialogue was a far better alternative that cost less than the long-term high cost.
He said while the association agreed that the problems facing the country were multifaceted and multi-layered and becoming more intractable, it still believed that the situation was not beyond redemption to warrant calling for secession from the nation.
Salihu added that all what was required to solve the problems remained the development of more awareness of the problems and the readiness to apply a mix of therapies that are people’s centered.
He said:” To be sure, the NPSA believes in a strong and united Nigeria and as such, it frowns at the incessant drum of disintegration being beaten by some aggrieved Nigerians.
“We believe in one Nigeria, where all its citizens will enjoy justice, equity, fairness and peace. We thus disapprove of extreme posturing and agitations, verging on the dismemberment of the country as being demanded by some groups.
“As political scientists, we do not grudge against some Nigerians who have grievances with the current state of affairs in Nigeria and are ready to canvass their views within the confines of the law. However, we reject the option of breaking-up the country for its many consequences that some countries that have passed through the route are still living with.
” Fortunately, we are in a democracy with its avowed principles guiding its operation. Its time-tested principles such as dialogue should be embraced by all in navigating the country away from the path of the precipice and thus strengthening the bond that exists among Nigerians. Political problems, require political solutions.
“The NPSA considers dialogue as a crucial option for addressing the current challenges facing the nation.
