Goodluck Jonathan has issued a statement over the Army/IPOB face-off:
The reports I have received about recent developments in
the country lead me to appeal to all men of good will to use whatever influence
they have to push for peaceful coexistence and restraint on all sides. Perhaps
it is time for the Council of State to intervene and offer its wise
counsel.
Irrespective of whatever provocation, Nigerians must
never turn on each other.
Even in the face of difficult circumstances, we must
have faith that God in His infinite wisdom will guide us to finding a way out
that is fair and just to all concerned. In as much as there may be a need to
enforce order, there is a greater need to reinforce our humanity and treat
Nigerian citizens humanely whether they be from the North or
South.Nothing justifies the desecration and destruction of religious
places of worship or a police station. But even more so, nothing justifies the
endangering of human life. Let us exchange ideas instead of exchanging insults
and threats. Nigeria is going through tough times because God wants us to grow
through tough times.We must be resolute as a people even as we know that
it is impossible to deny the brotherhood of all Nigerians after over a century
of a shared commonwealth.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
