A group within the Peoples Democratic Party,the Afenifere Independent Group, on Sundayurged Nigerians to move beyond the currentcontroversy about the 1967-1970 Civil War and build a new nation.
In a statement by a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo, the AIG said it was worried that 40 years after the civil war, a large number of Nigerians still engaged in bitter reminiscence instead of letting old wound heal.
The AIG said, "The ongoing war of words over comments made by Prof Chinua Achebein his latest book, 'There was a Country' against the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo that the sage intended to exterminate the Igbo race, is not helpful in the course of nation building and likely to cause a setback in the healing process and overcoming the trauma of civil war.
"The counter remarks from the Yoruba people and their leaders show how fragile our unity is and we must not continue to take for granted the unity of the country.
"Presently the Federal Government is being attacked on many fronts such as the Boko Haram in the North. Flood is ravaging most part of the country. The West is alleging marginalisation in President Goodluck Jonathan administration. And also, there is a massive outcry against the brutal killings of students in UNIPORT and in Mubi and series of kidnapping going on in the country.
"The Federal Government has a lot on its neck and does not need additional problemslike the one Achebe is causing with his comments.
"The comment could cause disaffection among the populace and re-ignite the long forgotten divisive tendencies. Nigerian should ignore such controversy."
The group also urged Jonathan to address the issues affecting the Yoruba people interest in the country.
It said it appeared that there was a systematic relegation of the people of the South-West from the central governance, urging the president to address it to avoid a setback to the gains that had been achieved in nation building.
"The recent appointments of the Service Chiefs overlook people from South-West. We also learnt that the ongoing re-structuring inthe aviation industry is intended to scheme out the South-West.
"Leaders of the zone have met with the president to seek redress. But its response and actions has been lacklustre," the AIG said.