We Are In A Fragile State – Sowunmi Sounds Alarm, Warns Against Tribal Politics

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Segun Sowunmi, has urged political leaders to desist from tribal rhetoric capable of plunging the country into chaos.

He cautioned that excessive tribalisation narrative of the present government policies coupled with the economic situation in the country could cause havoc in the country.

Addressing newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday, Sowunmi warned that political leaders and the elite in the geo-political sub regions of Nigeria must learn how to engage the government in a responsible and constructive manner capable of enhancing democratic values.

He said, “This nation has never been in a more delicate or fragile situation since 1914. The issues that have bedeviled the country under the watch of President Bola Tinubu are tending towards threatening the concept called Nigeria. The excessive tribalization narrative of government policies, the politics of the geo-political zones of our sub region within our country, the global economic challenges, the difficulties of managing the complex administrative, governance and economic issues, and our irresponsible political conversational struggle within the country, have never been on the tenterhooks.

“Any leader in Nigeria, whether at the national, state or LGs, he or she will inherit the administration as it is handed over to him or her.

“Before the person gets there, he has no magic wand or clairvoyance by which he is going to see clearly the state of things. I am convinced that all the past leaders had governed according to their capabilities and capacity. They all meant to do well up to the limit of their competence. It, therefore, follows that when we want to analyze or engage the government, we must do so from the position where they stand. I am also convinced that since the amalgamation, we have been struggling to be a nation called Nigeria, and if we don’t manage our tribal rhetoric very well, we will injure the country mortally.”

Sowunmi, however, urged President Tinubu to dismantle his “fourth rate and South West dominated” economic team and balance key appointments in order to ease tension in the country.

“It has become imperative for Nigerians to avail themselves with alternative ways of doing things in the country, alternative ways of doing democracy, alternative ways of engagement and conversation, so that we don’t destroy what we have created over the years,” he added.