President
Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable,
in an apparent reference to tension in the country.
In his
broadcast to the nation this morning, following his extended medical vacation
in the United Kingdom, Buhari also directed security agencies to fight and
destroy terrorists and criminals “so that the majority of us can live in peace
and safety.”
The president’s full speech runs:
“My dear citizens,
I am very grateful to God and to all
Nigerians for their prayers. I am pleased to be back on home soil among my
brothers and sisters.
In the course of my stay in the
United Kingdom, I have been kept in daily touch with events at home. Nigerians
are robust and lively in discussing their affairs, but I was distressed to
notice that some of the comments, especially in the social media have crossed
our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a
nation. This is a step too far.
In 2003 after I joined partisan
politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my
hometown Daura. 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
the country must remain one and united.
Nigeria’s unity is settled and not
negotiable. We shall 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.
Every Nigerian has the right to live
and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.
I believe the very vast majority of
Nigerians share this view.
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.
Furthermore, I am charging the
Security Agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months be a
sign to relax.
Terrorists and criminals must be
fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace
and safety.
Therefore we are going to reinforce
and reinvigorate the fight not only against;
• elements of Boko Haram which are
attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets
• kidnappings, farmers versus
herdsmen clashes,
• in addition to ethnic violence
fuelled by political mischief makers. We shall tackle 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
• as well as lasting peace among all
Nigerians.
I remain resolutely committed to
ensuring that these goals are achieved and maintained.
I am so glad to be home.
Thank you and may God bless our dear
Nation.”
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