FG’s entire apparatus will be deployed against threats to Nigeria’s unity –Osinbajo
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Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday maintained that the Federal
Government will use all its apparatus to ensure that no one threatens
Nigerians or its oneness.
He said this during the meeting with traditional rulers from the North at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Following the agitation for Biafra by some Igbo groups and the Arewa youths quit notice to Ndigbo living in the North to vacate their region on or before October 1, which was in response to the agitation, Osinbajo has been engaging in series of meetings with leaders from the two regions suing for peace.
In remarks at the meeting which was made available to newsmen by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said that the Federal Government was not deaf to the legitimate concerns and frustrations arising from around the country.
“Every part of Nigeria has its own grievances. But these have to be expressed graciously and managed with mutuality rather than with scorn and disdain,” he said.
The remarks read in part, “As Royal Fathers and Traditional Leaders, your place and your role in our society and nation is significant. You are the custodians of our cultures and traditions, and living embodiments of our rich heritage.
“You are, by virtue of your vast knowledge, wisdom and experience, both a vital link with our past, and an important guarantee for the success of our future. This is why your role in national affairs is critical.
“The reason for these series of meetings is well known to all of us: it became necessary in the wake of a spate of divisive statements, in recent months and weeks, pitting the South-East against the North. We are all aware of the so-called ‘ultimatum’ issued by a group of Northern youths, asking that all Igbos living in the North vacate the region.
“Before then, there was the clamour – and it’s still ongoing – by some South-Eastern youths, operating as IPOB and affiliated groups, demanding secession from Nigeria.
“In all our previous engagements with Northern and South-Eastern leaders, we all came to the consensus that Nigeria is stronger and better together, and that these hate-filled and divisive rhetoric and agitations are unjustifiable, unacceptable and often times illegal. And I would like to reiterate that today.
“Nigeria has seen enough violence and bloodshed in its history, the price of our unity has already been paid in the blood and lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians.
“Let us continue to counsel the misguided elements among our youth, who think that ethnic confrontation is a game and that words can be thrown around carelessly without repercussion.
“We must never take our diversity for granted; the fullness of our strength actually lies in that diversity. And we must wield that diversity, not as divisive tool, but instead as a binding agent.
“On our part as government, let me say that we will ensure that the entire apparatus of government is deployed to ensure that no one threatens Nigeria’s territorial integrity, that no one threatens the lives or livelihoods of any Nigerian living anywhere in the Federation.”
The consultative meetings end on Wednesday, June 21, with Osinbajo’s meeting with all 36 governors of the country.
Meanwhile, despite the order by Governor Nasir El-Rufai and other prominent Nigerians for the arrest of the Arewa youths, nobody has been arrested.
The youths further wrote a detailed letter to Osinbajo, insisting on their order and gave series of reasons why Ndigbo must be allowed to go.
FG’s entire apparatus will be deployed against threats to Nigeria’s unity –Osinbajo
He said this during the meeting with traditional rulers from the North at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Following the agitation for Biafra by some Igbo groups and the Arewa youths quit notice to Ndigbo living in the North to vacate their region on or before October 1, which was in response to the agitation, Osinbajo has been engaging in series of meetings with leaders from the two regions suing for peace.
In remarks at the meeting which was made available to newsmen by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said that the Federal Government was not deaf to the legitimate concerns and frustrations arising from around the country.
“Every part of Nigeria has its own grievances. But these have to be expressed graciously and managed with mutuality rather than with scorn and disdain,” he said.
The remarks read in part, “As Royal Fathers and Traditional Leaders, your place and your role in our society and nation is significant. You are the custodians of our cultures and traditions, and living embodiments of our rich heritage.
“You are, by virtue of your vast knowledge, wisdom and experience, both a vital link with our past, and an important guarantee for the success of our future. This is why your role in national affairs is critical.
“The reason for these series of meetings is well known to all of us: it became necessary in the wake of a spate of divisive statements, in recent months and weeks, pitting the South-East against the North. We are all aware of the so-called ‘ultimatum’ issued by a group of Northern youths, asking that all Igbos living in the North vacate the region.
“Before then, there was the clamour – and it’s still ongoing – by some South-Eastern youths, operating as IPOB and affiliated groups, demanding secession from Nigeria.
“In all our previous engagements with Northern and South-Eastern leaders, we all came to the consensus that Nigeria is stronger and better together, and that these hate-filled and divisive rhetoric and agitations are unjustifiable, unacceptable and often times illegal. And I would like to reiterate that today.
“Nigeria has seen enough violence and bloodshed in its history, the price of our unity has already been paid in the blood and lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians.
“Let us continue to counsel the misguided elements among our youth, who think that ethnic confrontation is a game and that words can be thrown around carelessly without repercussion.
“We must never take our diversity for granted; the fullness of our strength actually lies in that diversity. And we must wield that diversity, not as divisive tool, but instead as a binding agent.
“On our part as government, let me say that we will ensure that the entire apparatus of government is deployed to ensure that no one threatens Nigeria’s territorial integrity, that no one threatens the lives or livelihoods of any Nigerian living anywhere in the Federation.”
The consultative meetings end on Wednesday, June 21, with Osinbajo’s meeting with all 36 governors of the country.
Meanwhile, despite the order by Governor Nasir El-Rufai and other prominent Nigerians for the arrest of the Arewa youths, nobody has been arrested.
The youths further wrote a detailed letter to Osinbajo, insisting on their order and gave series of reasons why Ndigbo must be allowed to go.
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