Biafra: Nigeria won't break up under me - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said the clamour for restructuring gave some groups which he described as “highly irresponsible” the leeway to call for the nation’s breakup.

He vowed never to allow such happen under him.

Buhari made his position known in a national speech to mark the nation’s 57th independence anniversary on Saturday.  He is expected to address the nation at 7am on Sunday (today).

The President said under his watch, Nigeria had witnessed what he called political freedom that saw opposition parties winning elections at the state and National Assembly levels.

He said the growing political development, like all freedoms, was open to abuse, hence the recent development.

He noted that those agitating for a repeat of the nation’s civil war that claimed two million lives were not born by 1967 and had no idea of the consequences of the conflict.

Buhari said he was also disappointed in some community leaders who witnessed the war and still failed to warn their “hot-headed” youths of what the nation passed through.

He reiterated his position that any desired constitutional change should take place in a rational manner only at the national and state Houses of Assembly.

He said the assignment could not be left in the hands of “some lopsided, un-democratic body with a pre-determined set of objectives.”

The President said, “In the past two years, Nigeria has recorded appreciable gains in political freedom. A political party at the centre losing governorship elections, National Assembly seats and even state assemblies to opposition parties is new to Nigeria.

“Added to these is a complete freedom to associate, to hold and disseminate opinions. Such developments clearly attest to the country’s growing political development.

“Recent calls for re-structuring, quite proper in a legitimate debate, has let in highly irresponsible groups to call for dismemberment of the country. We cannot and we will not allow such advocacy.

“As a young army officer, I took part from the beginning to the end of our tragic civil war costing about two million lives, resulting in fearful destruction and untold suffering. Those who are agitating for a rerun were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of the civil conflict which we went through.


“Government is keeping up the momentum of dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger Delta to keep the peace. We intend to address genuine grievances of the communities.

“Government is grateful to the responsible leadership of those communities and will pursue lasting peace in the Niger Delta.”


Source: Punch