- Says “living together is not an option but an obligation”
The Federal Government at the weekend said it would not entertain the balkanisation of any part of the country.
It also explained that there will be no room for secession, saying Nigerians living together is an obligation and not optional.
Certain groups have been campaigning to be allowed to exit the Nigerian union brought together under the separate Southern and Northern protectorates by Lord Lugard in 1914.
On October 13, a viral video surfaced where the Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, took his agitation for an independent Yoruba nation to 10 Downing Street, the official residence and office of the British Prime Minister in London.
Igboho, leading a delegation of top Yoruba nation separatists, submitted a petition to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, on the decision of the secessionist movement in Nigeria to break away and form an independent nation.
In the South East region, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by incarcerated Nnamdi Kanu, has been campaigning for an independent State of Biafra.
But Minister of Defence Mohammed Abubakar Badaru reaffirmed the indivisibility of the country at the weekend during a peace meeting in Plateau State.
According to Badaru: “The Federal Government will not entertain such demand capable of causing division and disaffection among Nigerians. Therefore, living together is not an option but an obligation.
“This is evident in Mr President’s firm resolve to fight any secessionist agenda in any part of the country.
“My presence here is to fulfil my mandate as the Minister of Defence charged with the responsibility for the protection of our national territory both from external and internal aggression.
“Therefore, I will not relent until the Federal Government and the Ministry of Defence deploy all assets to ensure our people sleep with their eyes closed.
“I must first express my displeasure over the recurring attacks and reprisals that resulted in the loss of lives and property especially in Jol and Sho in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs in recent times.
“These killings kept recurring despite the best efforts of our security agencies on the Plateau; especially 3 Division (Nigerian Army)/Operation Safe Heaven (OPSH) to ensure amicable settlements during any incidents involving attacks on cattle or farm as well as cattle rustling.’’
Badaru, a former Governor of Jigawa State, also said the government was highly disturbed that some people would want to disrupt the current farming season.
He added: “I am particularly saddened by the stance of some unscrupulous elements in some communities who vowed to disrupt farming activities during the ongoing rainy season despite all efforts to resolve the security issues in your localities through diverse means.
“The continuous recurrence of farmers/herders clashes not just on the Plateau but across other states of the federation is quite worrisome.
“As nature has it, both farmers and cattle breeders need each other to survive.”
First published in The Nation, Nigeria