Nigeria must not be dragged backward, Alawuje warns opposition
A political stakeholder, Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, has cautioned against what he described as attempts to drag Nigeria backward through divisive politics and the reopening of settled historical issues. In a
A political stakeholder, Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, has cautioned against what he described as attempts to drag Nigeria backward through divisive politics and the reopening of settled historical issues.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on Wednesday, Alawuje warned that democracy should not be turned into “a battlefield for ethnic division or reckless provocation,” stressing that political ambition must never threaten national unity.
He said the role of the opposition in recent political engagements had become “deeply alarming,” alleging that certain actors were exploiting sensitive historical matters to stoke tension and score political points.
Alawuje recalled the painful memories of the June 12 crisis, noting that the events remain a reminder of what happens when a nation is pushed to the brink. According to him, Nigerians must resist any move capable of reigniting divisions associated with that period.
He maintained that the June 12 chapter had already been acknowledged and addressed at the highest level, particularly under former President Muhammadu Buhari, who took steps to recognize and honour the democratic mandate linked to the historic date.
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The statement added that the actions taken during Buhari’s administration were in the spirit of reconciliation and national healing, insisting that the matter had been formally resolved and should not be weaponized for present-day political contests.
Alawuje expressed appreciation for the sacrifices of both Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in their efforts to preserve Nigeria’s unity, urging citizens to choose peace over provocation and unity over division.
He said that as Tinubu continues to steer the affairs of the nation, collective focus should be on economic recovery, institutional strengthening, and inclusive development rather than the revival of old grievances.
While acknowledging that political competition is natural in a democracy, Alawuje warned that deliberate attempts to reopen healed wounds for personal ambition could threaten the fragile stability the country has worked hard to sustain.
He called on Nigerians to rise above divisive narratives and safeguard the peace of the nation, insisting that the country’s future depends on tolerance, patience, and responsible leadership, adding that Nigeria must move forward united, peaceful, and focused.
