President Muhammadu Buhari says he and Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, the late Igbo leader, agreed that Nigeria must remain as one. Ojukwu led the secessionist state of Biafra from 1967 to 1970. Some groups in the south-east are agitating for the restoration of the state.
In a state broadcast on Monday, Buhari said he and Ojukwu discussed and analysed the problems of Nigeria when the late Igbo leader visited him in Daura in 2003, and that they came to the conclusion that the country must remain united.
The president also decried the spread of hate messages on social media.
“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,” he said in his speech.
“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.”
Buhari also declared that every Nigerian has the right to live anywhere in the country – a response to the order given to the Igbo by some northern groups to leave the region by October 1.
“Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance,” he said.
Read the transcript of his speech below;
BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI,
AUGUST 21, 2017.
AUGUST 21, 2017.
My dear citizens,
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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.
6. I believe the very vast majority of Nigerians share this view.
7. 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.
8. The National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse.
9. The national consensus is that, it is better to live together than to live apart.
10. Furthermore, I am charging the Security Agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax.
11. Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. I remain resolutely committed to ensuring that these goals are achieved and maintained. I am so glad to be home.
15. Thank you and may God bless our dear Nation.
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