Buhari: unity of Nigeria not negotiable

President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday that he agreed with later leader of the defunct Biafra Republic, late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu that the security of Nigeria is non- negotiable. The President said this in his first national broadcast since his return to the country on Saturday.

In a statement obviously directed to new agitators for the Republic of Biafra led by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB,  the President said, “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.

“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.

“Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.

“I believe the very vast majority of Nigerians share this view.

“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.

“The National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse.