Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; Senator representing Edo West, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; and former Kano State governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, have called for deliberate efforts to build a stronger Nigerian national identity capable of transcending ethnic, religious and cultural differences.
The trio made the call while speaking at the seventh National Discourse, titled “Interrogating Nigeria’s Democracy in the Context of Multiple Diversity,” held at the J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos.
In his submission, Hamzat said some of the country’s political challenges could be traced to its inability to effectively reconcile its rich cultural heritage with the Western democratic system it adopted.
According to him, although ethnic, religious and cultural identities remain deeply rooted in Nigerian society, they should not be allowed to become instruments of division.
“We must learn to accommodate our differences while promoting a common national identity,” Hamzat said.
The deputy governor also called for greater religious tolerance and the promotion of responsible family values as part of efforts to strengthen national cohesion.
Also speaking, Oshiomhole urged Nigerians to reject identity politics and elect leaders based on competence, ideas and values rather than ethnicity or other primordial considerations.
He said Nigeria’s diversity should serve as an asset for national development rather than a tool for political mobilisation.
He argued that the country’s fundamental divide was not necessarily along ethnic or religious lines but between the deprived and those who had cornered the nation’s wealth.
“Nobody should be rewarded or punished on account of accident of birth,” he said.
The former Edo State governor maintained that Nigerians should focus on creating a society where individuals could aspire to leadership and public office based on their capabilities and contributions rather than their ethnic or religious backgrounds.
Mallam Shekarau, who doubled as the special guest of honour, called for a deeper understanding of the teachings of Islam and Christianity, saying both religions promote peace, justice and respect for others.
He urged political leaders to consult widely, uphold fairness and avoid turning politics into a do-or-die affair.
Earlier, the National Amir of The Companions, Imam Nojeem Jimoh, said the discourse was organised to examine how Nigeria’s democracy could better manage the country’s vast diversity.
Delivering the guest lecture, Prof. Liasu Adele Jinadu said ethnicity had been exploited by political elites since the colonial era to create patronage networks and weaken state institutions.
He called for a political system that prioritises citizenship, transparency and human development over ethnic interests, in line with the principles of the 1999 Constitution.
“Our goal should be a democracy in which citizenship is stronger than primordial identity,” Imam Jimoh said.
“Not because ethnicity, religion or culture should disappear, but because our Nigerian identity must provide the larger umbrella under which all these identities can peacefully coexist.”
The speakers emphasised the need for Nigerians and political leaders to move beyond primordial considerations and strengthen democratic institutions capable of promoting inclusion, equity and national unity.