The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable.
Buhari who made this known in a broadcast to the nation on Monday after his return from medical leave in London noted that government should not allow “irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood.”
He maintained that every Nigerian had the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in the country without let or hindrance adding that he was convinced that the vast majority of Nigerians shared the same view.
“In 2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. For over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analyzed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that that the country must remain one and united.
“This is not to deny that there are legitimate concerns. Every group has a grievance. But the beauty and attraction of a federation is that it allows different groups to air their grievances and work out a mode of co-existence.
“The National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse. The national consensus is that it is better to live together than to live apart “, he said.
While charging the security agencies not to allow the successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax, the President stressed that terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that majority of Nigerians could live in peace and safety.
He said,”Therefore, we are going to reinforce and reinvigorate the fight not only against the elements of Boko Haram which are attempting new series of attacks on soft targets, kidnapping, farmers versus herdsmen clashes, in addition to ethnic violence fueled by political mischief makers. We shall tackled them all.
“Finally, dear Nigerians, our collective interest now is to eschew petty differences and come together to face common challenges of economic security, political evolution and integration.
“I remain resolutely committed to ensuring that these goals are achieved and maintained. I am so glad to be home.”
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