Senator: Some secessionists’ll become opposition campaign managers in 2023

Ajibola Basiru, senate spokesperson, says some of those calling for the division of Nigeria will become campaign managers for opposition parties during the 2023 elections.

Basiru, lawmaker representing Osun central, stated this on Monday, when he featured on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme.

In recent weeks, there have been calls for secession, with proponents calling for the breakup of Nigeria into smaller countries.

Speaking on the development, the senator said it is a situation of politicians trying to rise against democracy.

“When politicians begin to use instrumentality of agitation, violence to seek to undermine a democratic government, you come to suspect what their motive is,” he said.

“And you will be surprised, by 2022, 2023, some of these elements calling for disintegration of Nigeria will now become campaign managers of some opposition political parties.”

Basiru noted that there are democratic processes to present agitations, rather than speaking on behalf of people without the mandate to do so.

He admitted that although there are a lot of issues to be addressed on restructuring, they should not serve as the basis to seek disintegration of the country.

“There are ample structures for us to be able to articulate our position and you will remember, Nigeria is a democratic society,” he said.

“There are democratic institutions like the state assemblies, like the office of the governor, of course, house of representatives and senate.

“When you see people with respect, self-appoint themselves and abrogate and say they are speaking on behalf of the people, the question to ask is: ‘where are their democratic credentials?'”