Former president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, has called on incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to transit from election mode to become a unifying force for Nigeria’s prosperity, transcending ethnic, religious and political divides.
He stated this in his keynote address delivered at the inauguration lecture organised by the Presidential Transition Council (PTC) in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme “Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development,” Kenyatta drew upon his experience in Kenya’s governance to highlight the leadership crisis plaguing Africa.
He emphasised the negative impact of ethnicism, religious intolerance and economic greed.
While acknowledging that elections may foster division, Kenyatta stressed the imperative for leadership to foster unity.
He encouraged Tinubu to seek diverse perspectives by surrounding himself with voices that challenge his own and reaching out to those who may harbor grievances, as this would facilitate the nation-building process.
Kenyatta emphasised that Tinubu must lead and unite all citizens, regardless of their support or opposition during the election process.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would emerge from this transition as a resilient nation ready to take its place on the global stage.
Kenyatta underscored the importance of Tinubu assuming his role as Nigeria’s vision bearer and breaking free from the adversarial mindset that typically characterises election campaigns.
He said “The contest is now over and the hard work of building a prosperous and unified Nigeria now begins.
“Upon assuming the office of president, you would be wise to transcend from the tactical politics of an election and assume your role as Nigeria’s vision bearer.
“This will demand a complete overhaul of the adversarial mindset that we as politicians are conditioned to embrace during the electoral process.”
Kenyatta further highlighted that as the President, Tinubu would become the embodiment of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups and religions, serving as a symbol of unity and the face of the nation.
He urged Tinubu to surround himself with individuals who would counterbalance hardliners and emphasized the need to reach across political, ethnic, and religious lines.
Addressing those who may feel aggrieved by Tinubu’s victory, Kenyatta appealed for inclusivity, stating, “To those who may feel aggrieved by your victory in one way or another, please allow them to exhale and be part of your vision for a greater Nigeria.”
Kenyatta expressed his hope and prayer that Tinubu would draw lessons from across the continent, demonstrating the resolve to combat the three enemies of nationhood: negative ethnicity, religious discrimination, and corruption.
He envisioned a Nigeria that would emerge from this transition prepared to assert its rightful place on the global stage.
President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, emphasised the need for security, peace, and unity in a nation grappling with internal divisions.
He called for a departure from partisan politics and the forging of a united front to propel the nation forward, guided by inclusivity, fairness, equity, and justice.
Adesina highlighted the prevailing fiscal deficits, estimated at 6% of GDP, resulting from extensive government spending and dwindling revenues from crude oil exports due to pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering.
Disturbingly, he said Nigeria’s debt-to-revenue ratio has risen to 96.3%, with a significant portion of the revenue dedicated to servicing debt rather than promoting growth.
To initiate economic recovery, Adesina stressed the importance of eliminating inefficient fuel subsidies, which predominantly benefit the wealthy while burdening the national economy.
He said “the cost of governance was also identified as a critical issue, with Nigeria spending a disproportionately low amount on development. The country currently ranks among the nations with the lowest human development index, requiring a staggering $3 trillion by 2050 to meet its infrastructure needs.
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