Dr. Adebayo Orire, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, has voiced his belief that Nigeria must break up to achieve genuine progress and sustainable development. In a recent interview at his home in Ikoro-Ekiti, located in Ijero Local Government Area, Orire emphasized that the country’s current structure is impeding growth due to longstanding disunity and deep-rooted ethnic divides.
Orire expressed his view that Nigeria cannot continue in its current form, arguing that the nation faces two options: to prosper by evolving or to break apart peacefully. “Nigeria cannot go on like this. For the nation to truly advance, it must either evolve or dissolve peacefully without violence,” he explained, speaking to the Daily Sun.
The APC chieftain also pointed to rising separatist movements across Nigeria as signs of this underlying division. He referenced the persistent calls for autonomy among groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Yoruba nationalist factions, and various groups in the Middle Belt. In his view, these movements underscore the deep-seated ethnic allegiances that overshadow a collective Nigerian identity, making national unity difficult.
“People see themselves as Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Igbo, or Efik before they see themselves as Nigerians,” he said, noting that over a century of efforts have failed to unify these diverse groups. “We need to ask ourselves why we keep trying to force unity, and why we’re ignoring the reality of our divisions,” Orire added.
Suggesting a peaceful path forward, Orire called for a dissolution into smaller, region-based entities to foster genuine development and stability. He believes that allowing each ethnic or regional group to manage its affairs would better serve Nigeria’s people, providing an environment where communities can flourish independently.
Orire also offered candid thoughts on President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He acknowledged Tinubu’s political insight and strategic skills, noting that he has long been respected as a knowledgeable leader. However, he expressed disappointment with the President’s current performance, suggesting a gap between Tinubu’s potential and his current leadership. “Tinubu is brilliant and highly experienced. If asked to offer solutions outside the presidency, he could probably solve issues in minutes. But as President, I’m unsure what has changed,” Orire remarked, sharing his concerns.
In his remarks, Orire underscored his belief that Nigeria’s future would be more promising if the country’s leadership prioritized peaceful solutions, advocating for a peaceful restructuring that would allow each region to pursue growth and stability independently.