Former Attorney General of the Federal and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi SAN, on Monday asked president Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use his office as number citizen of Nigeria to unite the country.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also called on President Bola Tinubu, to release "all dissidents" as part of move to ensure national unity.

Agabi made the call at the opening of a two-day National Conference by the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN).

The former Attorney General said that Nigeria has been on a mistake making course since independence, adding that it was time to intentionally, and collectively redirect the country.

"The President should use "the power of his office as a binding factor to unite the country, the country's presidential system does not allow unity to be an option.

"Countries with our kind of peculiarities adopt the Presidential system of government. So, Nigerians must work on uniting the country. We must get there."

"Let me also make this appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider the creation of a National Integration Commission, it will go a Long way in fostering unity in the country."

Agabi said that Nigeria "can teach them peace and unity," upon their (dissidents) release.

He condemned successive governments' handling of protests by citizens, "warning that corruption in public offices is the reason for violence on the streets."

Agabi, who was the Chairman of the conference, while declaring it open amid attendance by past and serving deputy governors, pointed out a faulty education system, and inability of the country to be self-reliant in relevant sectors as part of forces militating against national development.

He lamented "the belief by some persons that our constitution is a product of the military," adding that the document "needs people to enforce and respect it, as even if it is a broken-down vehicle it is what we have."