Categories: News

Nigeria’s Unity Non-negotiable, We Are Better Together – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari

Nigerians must look at the positive side of things following the 1967-1970 civil war and forget about secession

President Muhammadu Buhari has doubled down on the resolution of the federal government to keep Nigeria as one, stressing that Nigeria must remain optimistic about a great Nigeria.

Buhari, who spoke at the 12th Bola Tinubu colloquium on Monday, says Nigerians have a role to play in ensuring Nigeria remains peaceful and united.

The president’s comment comes amid perennial and widespread agitation for Nigeria’s breakup from both the advocates of Biafran government, proponents of Oduduwa republic and other aggrieved citizens.

Speaking virtually at the colloquium which is holding in Kano state, Buhari said despite the heterogeneous composition of Nigeria, it remains a formidable force together than apart.

“Despite occasional inter-ethnic tensions in our national history, it seems to me that we have all agreed on one point: That notwithstanding our diversity of ethnicity, culture, language and religion, Nigerians are better together, even stronger together,” he said.

The president recalled how he fought for Nigeria’s unity during the civil war which he said left behind “unspeakable horrors”.

“The peacekeeping, recovery and reconstruction that followed could also not have succeeded under an atmosphere of inter-ethnic animosity,” he added.

“We must count our blessings in Nigeria and see in them the crucial factors of peace and unity. The lessons of this colloquium are clear”

He noted that the primary objective and ultimate goal of citizens and leaders should be how to ensure justice and harmony and make sure that citizens feel safe in any part of the country they find themselves.

Buhari, presidency

“Our very best course of conduct both as leaders and citizens is to now ensure that justice and harmony reign in Nigeria till we devote the resources of our country solely for its development and benefits of our citizens and, in the process, ensure that every Nigerian feel comfortable in every part of Nigeria.

Buhari posited that every citizen has a stake in the Nigerian project and “while playing our respective parts in its unity, peace and progress, we must constantly keep faith with the promise of a greater Nigeria.”

Buhari also spoke glowingly about Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose 69th birthday is being celebrated, describing him as a known advocate of unity and cohesion.

“This has been a constant factor in his (Tinubu’s) outstanding political career from the time he served in the senate of the third republic to his involvement in the struggle of the actualisation of the June 12 mandate of the late Chief MKO Abiola to his much-acclaimed period of service as governor of Lagos state,” he said.

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