THERE CAN'T BE PEACE IN NIGERIA WITH GAP BETWEEN REGIONS -BALARABE MUSA

There cannot be peace in Nigeria if the government, both at federal and state levels fail to bridge the development gap that exists between the northern and southern regions of the country, especially in the area of education, Balarabe Musa said.

Musa, first Executive Governor of old Kaduna State and National Chairman of People Redemption Party (PRP), stated this in his keynote address at the opening of a three-Day retreat for Zamfara State House of Assembly members.

The former governor, who is equally the chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) said the northern part of Nigeria is tragically least developed industrially and educationally compared to the southern part of the country, with about ten years gap in industrial development and 40 years gap educationally.

According to him, 'this tragedy stands in the way of national unity and development and must be removed quickly under the leadership of the Federal Government. 'You are aware that the state of the Nigerian nation is negative in almost all respects; hence the level of suffering of the people brought about by the socio-economic system controlling all developments in this country which is based on self interest as opposed to public interest, primarily.

He, however, charged the Zamfara State lawmakers to strive to bring about positive changes in the nation, adding that legislature, whether at the state or federal level has the constitutional right, responsibility and capacity to bring about the positive reversal of the present negative state of the nation.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Speaker of Zamfra State House of Assembly, Alhaji Sanusi Garba Rikiji said the retreat was geared towards strengthening the intellectual capacity of the lawmakers on the best ways to face the daunting challenges of their constitutional responsibilities.