By News Investigators -Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari on Monday warned those agitating for self-determination in the country, declaring that “Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable.”
Even as he said that the former leader of Biafra, late Emeka Ojukwu agreed with him that Nigeria must remained one and united country.
Mr. Buhari spoke in a nationwide address against the background of heightening agitations by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for a right to self-determination.
The President who returned to the country on Saturday, had been away in the United Kingdom on medical vacation for 103 days.
Mr. Buhari has not told Nigerians whom he referred to as “my dear citizens” in the speech, the nature of his sickness.
He recalled his meeting with the late Biafra warlord, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, in 2003 in which both agreed on the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria.
“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 analysed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united,” he said.
According to Mr. Buhari, “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.
Mr. Buhari directed Security Agencies to crackdown on terrorists and criminals in order to ensure that majority of the citizens 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.
The President expressed his resolute commitment to ensuring that these goals are achieved and maintained.
