Joseph Bakare
The Presidency has frowned at those calling for secession from the country, saying the country’s unity is key to development.
The Presidency described them as the country’s biggest problem.
Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to Presidency, stated this on Tuesday, April 20, at an event organised by the All Progressive Congress, APC, Professional Forum to showcase the achievements of the President Buhari-led administration.
The Presidency added that Buhari would, however, not be intimidated by the calls for secession by some persons, pointing out that the country will remain untied.
“For those saying that the presidency has not been talking, our position is clearly that this country is one and will remain united by the grace of God.
“You can’t intimidate Buhari, you can’t bully him, a lot of these people who are calling for secession are the problem of this country, I am happy that reasonable voices are now rising,” he said.
Shehu expressed delight that Afenifere; Ohanaze Ndigbo; and other socio-cultural regional groups are beginning to speak against secession.
“We have heard the governors in the South-West, they have denounced all of these things; so it’s a sham, Nigerians want to be one and united,” he said.
He expressed optimism that whatever challenges the country might be having; with unity and love, such challenges would be addressed.
On agitation for a national conference to address the country’s challenges; the Presidency said there was no need for that; as it would not do more than a parliament which was mandated to ensure the sovereignty of Nigerians.
He added that any democrat in heart and practice should believe in the tripartite structure of government; noting that a lot of those calling for secession are unelectable.
He said that they should contest the election if they felt otherwise.
On the spate of kidnappings and banditry in the country, Shehu said though it was not a commendable development; the act had been on for long, even before the country gained independence.
He blamed the development on bad eggs in our communities who revealed military secrets to bandits.
