NEWS: THE NIGERIA UNITY IS SETTLED, NOT NEGOTIABLE SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammad Buhari is back and in control once more, he said on Sunday the unity of Nigeria would not be opened to any negotiation.

The president first statement to the country since his return to Nigeria after a 104 days of medication vacation abroad, added that political mischief makers who were fueling ethnic violence will be dealt with accordingly. The president also said he is not against legitimate concerns, noted different groups must air their grievances and work out mode of co-existence.

“The National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse,” he added.

Buhari said he had been monitoring development in Nigeria from London, adding that some comments, especially on the social medias crossed the red line by questioning the nation's continued existence. This is obviously coming from the recent quit notice to Igbos in the north by the northern youths, Buhari said “every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.”

I believe every Nigerians or the vast majority shares this view and the national consensus is  to live together than to live apart.

The President has made firmed resolution that this administration will fight terrorist and trouble makers relentlessly so that Nigerians can live in peace and one.

Part of his speech read;    “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.”