NASS urged to reflect on civil war lessons to fix Nigeria’s challenges

Elder statesman Chike Obidigbo has urged the National Assembly of Nigeria to draw lessons from the Nigerian civil war in addressing the country’s lingering governance and unity challenges. Obidigbo said the painful history of the war should serve as a guide in reviewing Nigeria’s governance structure and promoting national cohesion. He expressed concern over what […]

Elder statesman Chike Obidigbo has urged the National Assembly of Nigeria to draw lessons from the Nigerian civil war in addressing the country’s lingering governance and unity challenges.

Obidigbo said the painful history of the war should serve as a guide in reviewing Nigeria’s governance structure and promoting national cohesion.

He expressed concern over what he described as divided public reactions to recent international comments on insecurity in Nigeria by former United States President Donald Trump, noting that differing interpretations of the remarks deepened national disagreements.

In a statement to journalists, Obidigbo said grievances expressed by some groups over political and economic inclusion have continued to generate tension, stressing that, in his view, Nigeria has not sufficiently reflected on the consequences of the civil war.

“When people raise concerns about inclusion and representation, it often degenerates into hostility because, as a nation, we have not fully confronted the wounds left by the civil war,” he said.

He also offered a historical perspective on Nigeria’s formation, attributing some of the country’s present challenges to colonial-era arrangements.

“If a survey is conducted today on why the civil war was fought, many who believed it was to keep Nigeria one may struggle to explain clearly whose interests were ultimately served,” Obidigbo stated.

The elder statesman called on leaders to take seriously the concerns of ethnic minorities and to engage in open discussions about Nigeria’s constitutional identity.

“We must honestly ask whether Nigeria is operating as a truly secular state or as a country managing different social and legal traditions under one system,” he said.

According to him, certain communities believe they have faced long-standing disadvantages rooted in colonial history.

“Two groups, in particular, believe they have faced persistent challenges dating back to colonial rule—the Igbo ethnic group and the Christian community,” Obidigbo said, stressing that this was his personal assessment.

He noted that while the experiences of different groups are not identical, unresolved historical issues continue to influence present realities.

Obidigbo urged authorities to address insecurity and other obstacles to national development through lawful and inclusive measures.

“Anyone promoting violence, whether for ideological or economic reasons, should be confronted within the framework of the law,” he said.

He further challenged Nigeria to rise above its colonial past.

“Nigeria’s situation raises questions about whether a nation formed through colonial arrangements can evolve into a society where all citizens are treated equally,” he said.

Reflecting on history, he referenced the 1914 amalgamation carried out under British colonial administrator Frederick Lugard, urging a reassessment of Nigeria’s governance framework.

“More than a century later, Nigerians should re-examine what aspects of our inherited system work and what needs adjustment in the interest of the people,” he said.

Obidigbo concluded by appealing to lawmakers to prioritise national interest over partisanship.

“I urge the National Assembly to think like statesmen and stateswomen and enact laws that promote equity, justice, and stability, so Nigeria can move toward sustainable growth,” he declared.