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.
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.
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.
The national consensus is that, it is better to live together than to
live apart.
Furthermore, I am charging the Security Agencies not to let the
successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax.
Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so
that the majority of us can live in peace and safety.
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.
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.
I remain resolutely committed to ensuring that these goals are achieved
and maintained.
I am so glad to be home.
Thank you and may God bless our dear Nation.
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.
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.
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.
The national consensus is that, it is better to live together than to
live apart.
Furthermore, I am charging the Security Agencies not to let the
successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax.
Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so
that the majority of us can live in peace and safety.
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.
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.
I remain resolutely committed to ensuring that these goals are achieved
and maintained.
I am so glad to be home.
Thank you and may God bless our dear Nation.
Muhammadu Buhari
President, Federal
Republic of Nigeria
Tags: News
