JUST IN: Nigeria’s unity not negotiable, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday said the unity of the
country would not be open to any negotiation.

The President, in its first statement to Nigerians since he
returned to Nigeria after a 104-day medical vacation in London,
added that political mischief makers who were fuelling ethnic
violence would be dealt with.

Buhari, who said he was not against legitimate concerns, noted
that different groups must 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,” he
added.

The President said he had been monitoring developments in
Nigeria from London, adding that some comments, especially on the
social media, crossed the national red line by questioning the
nation’s continued existence.

Apparently making a reference to the recent quit notice to
people of Igbo extraction by some northern youths, Buhari said
“every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business
anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.”

He said terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed
relentlessly so that the majority of Nigerians could live in peace
and safety.

The President said his administration would reinforce and
reinvigorate the fight against elements of Boko Haram, which he
said, were attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets.

The speech read in part, “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.”

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday said the unity of the
country would not be open to any negotiation.

The President, in its first statement to Nigerians since he
returned to Nigeria after a 104-day medical vacation in London,
added that political mischief makers who were fuelling ethnic
violence would be dealt with.

Buhari, who said he was not against legitimate concerns, noted
that different groups must 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,” he
added.

The President said he had been monitoring developments in
Nigeria from London, adding that some comments, especially on the
social media, crossed the national red line by questioning the
nation’s continued existence.

Apparently making a reference to the recent quit notice to
people of Igbo extraction by some northern youths, Buhari said
“every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business
anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.”

He said terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed
relentlessly so that the majority of Nigerians could live in peace
and safety.

The President said his administration would reinforce and
reinvigorate the fight against elements of Boko Haram, which he
said, were attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets.

The speech read in part, “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.”