Following political intrigues rocking the polity ahead of the 2015 general elections, former Military Governor of Imo and Lagos states and a leader of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, yesterday, said the country would not disintegrate noting, however, that Nigeria is currently at crossroads and only dialogue among the various ethnic nationalities could keep the country together.

Kanu, who spoke at the presentation of his book, entitled: “Nigeria: The Unfinished Business, Selected Speeches of Rear Admiral Godwin Ndubuisi Kanu,” at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Victoria Island, Lagos, expressed optimism that the country would not disintegrate come 2015, as the bond holding the nation together is very strong.

 NADECO and Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo who also spoke at the event said that those agitating that President Goodluck Jonathan should not contest the 2015 election should have a re-think, as according to him, the forthcoming national conference is more important than the election.

Expressing optimism that Nigeria would not disintegrate, he said: “I don’t believe Nigeria would disintegrate in 2015, like many pessimists but it will not be the same.  If as the President has embarked upon a national conference, and he carries it through, allows Nigerians to decide how they want to live together, and for them to have a final say on that decision, Nigeria would be better for it. I must say that what is important today, in this country is that we need a constitution that will bind us together. Whether Jonathan is going to contest or not in 2015 is not paramount.

He stressed that the country needs to have a constitution that the people agree upon, not an imposed one like the 1999 constitution adding that once the outcome of the national conference is implemented the way the people decided through a referendum, without anybody amending it, the unity of the country is certain.

The 260-page book containing about 21 selected speeches of Admiral Kanu was co-authored by Messrs Ndubuisi Ofondu, Ogbonna Oleka and Kalu Onuma. It was, however, reviewed by Rev. Okey Ifionu, former Deputy Managing Director of ThisDay Newspapers.