Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the citizens to continue to live together in unity as one entity, noting that the country’s unity is not negotiable.
The president made this declaration in a national broadcast to the nation this morning after more than three months away in London on medical grounds.
Buhari returned to the country on Saturday after spending about 103 days in London on a medical vacation treating an undisclosed ailment.
In his address, the president spoke about Nigeria’s unity, agitations, the war on Boko Haram, farmers and herdsmen clashes, economic security, ethnic violence and political evolution and integration.
He narrated how the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Chief Odimegwu Ojukwu had visited him in his home state, Daura, in 2003 and agreed on the unity of the Nigeria entity.
“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.” He said.
The president emphasised that every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.
While acknowledging that every group have legitimate grounds for agitation, the president pointed that true federalism allows for issues to be collectively worked out.
“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 for different groups to air their grievances and work out a mode of co-existence”.
He noted that the national consensus is that it is better to live together than to live apart.
The president also charged the security agencies not to relax on their success of the last 18 months, noting that “terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety.”
The president who expressed gladness to be back home therefore called on the citizens 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.
He also thank God and Nigerians for their prayers for him. “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.
“I am so glad to be home.” He said.
