61st Independence anniversary broadcast: Buhari pins terrorism, secession sponsorship charge on NASS member, high profile Nigerians

…says Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable

By Ajuma Edwina Ameh

As Nigerians commemorate the 61st independence anniversary, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Friday that ongoing investigations have revealed that a serving member of the National Assembly and some high profile Nigerians are financing the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, a.k.a Sunday Igboho.

The President, who disclosed this in a state broadcast, vowed that his government was more than ready to take “decisive actions’’ against secessionist agitators and their sponsors who threaten national security.

Persecondnews recalls that both Kanu is currently being detained at the DSS headquarters, Abuja, while Igboho is still being held in Benin Republic by the authorities for alleged immigration offences.

According to him, Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable as its ultimate success can only be achieved if all Nigerians come together with a common goal of having peace and prosperity for the nation.

“Nigeria is for all of us. Its unity is not negotiable. And its ultimate success can only be achieved if we all come together with a common goal of having peace and prosperity for our nation.

“We shall continue to work on dialogue-based solutions to address legitimate grievances. But we remain ready to take decisive actions against secessionist agitators and their sponsors who threaten our national security.

“The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, and the ongoing investigations being conducted have revealed certain high-profile financiers behind these individuals.

“We are vigorously pursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of the National Assembly.

This is a clear example of how people abandon their national leadership positions for their selfish gains.

“Instead of preaching unity, they are funding and misleading our youths to conduct criminal acts that sometimes lead to unfortunate and unnecessary loss of lives and property.

“As the so-called leaders run abroad to hide, our innocent youths are misled and left in the streets to fight for their senseless and destructive causes,’’ Persecondnews quotes Buhari as saying.

Speaking further, the president warned that his administration was ready to arrest and prosecute all persons “inciting violence through words or action’’.

“Our resolve for a peaceful, united and one Nigeria remains resolute and unwavering. That said, our hope is not to fight for peace. We can always settle our grievances peacefully without spilling any blood.

“I will, therefore, take this opportunity on this special day that symbolises the unity and oneness of our great nation to ask all Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue whatever your grievances,” Buhari said.