Nigeria most divided since civil war – ex-bank chief

The former governor of Nigeria’s central bank, Muhammadu Sanusi, has warned that ethnic and religious divisions are at their worst in the country since the end of the Biafran civil war more than 50 years ago.

Speaking at a leadership colloquium in the main city Lagos on Tuesday, Mr Sanusi – who is also the former Emir of Kano – said:

Quote Message: “I don’t think Nigeria has been in a place as difficult as this since the civil war. We have a challenge of nation-building.

“I don’t think Nigeria has been in a place as difficult as this since the civil war. We have a challenge of nation-building.

Quote Message: “We have a country that has been divided dangerously along ethnic and religious lines.

“We have a country that has been divided dangerously along ethnic and religious lines.

Quote Message: We have an economy that is in the doldrums, and unfortunately, we seem to be having a dearth of leadership among political leaders.”

We have an economy that is in the doldrums, and unfortunately, we seem to be having a dearth of leadership among political leaders.”

The ex-governor’s comments come as President Muhammadu Buhari prepares to hand power to Bola Tinubu after serving two terms, in May.

Mr Tinubu defeated his two main rivals – Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi – in fiercely contested presidential elections in February.

Both losing candidates have rejected the result, and are challenging it in court.

Mr Obi had hoped to become the first person from the Igbo ethnic group to be elected president.

He had also gained the backing of the huge Christian evangelical movement, in a campaign in which the two frontrunners – Mr Tinubu and Mr Abubakar – were Muslim.