ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has charged those with grievances to express them graciously without scorn or disdain as he reiterated that government is not deaf to such agitations.
This is even as he reiterated that government would not hesitate to unleash security agencies on those who continue to threaten the sovereignty of Nigeria or lives and livelihoods of fellow Nigerians living in any part of the country.
He spoke on Tuesday at a meeting he held with traditional rulers from the Northern states as part of consultations to douse ethnic tensions in the country.
The meeting earlier scheduled for Monday was moved to Tuesday as a result of an oversight in the invitation of participants.
The Monday meeting was called off with the realisation that only Muslim traditional rulers led by Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III were invited.
The postponement was ostensibly to enable necessary arrangements to be made to get other relevant northern royal fathers to the meeting.
Ethnic tension climaxed recently in the country when Arewa youths issued a three-month quit notice to Igbos living in the northern region, after a sit-at-home exercise called by pro-Biafra secessionists on May 30, 2017 to mark 50 years of proclamation of the defunct Republic of Biafra in the Southeast.
Osinbajo, who spoke before the meeting which lasted for about two hours went into closed door, acknowledged that there were frustrations and grievances but that these should not degenerate to the type of crisis being witnessed now in the country. He advised the royal fathers to counsel “misguided youths” who believe they could say anything without any consequences.
He assured that government would ensure a conducive environment for every ethnic or religious group to thrive peacefully.
He said: “As royal fathers and leaders, I think you will agree with me that we all have a role to play in countering the voices of divisiveness, and the elements who seek to take us down a bloody path.
“Let us continue to counsel the misguided elements among our youth, who think that ethnic confrontation is a game and that words can be thrown around carelessly without repercussion.
“Having said this, let me say that we are not deaf to the legitimate concerns and frustrations arising from around the country. Every part of Nigeria has its own grievances.
“But these have to be expressed graciously and managed with mutuality rather than with scorn and disdain.”
Osinbajo added that: “As royal fathers and traditional leaders, your place and your role in our society and nation is significant. You are the custodians of our cultures and traditions, and living embodiments of our rich heritage.
“You are, by virtue of your vast knowledge, wisdom and experience, both a vital link with our past, and an important guarantee for the success of our future. This is why your role in national affairs is critical.
“The reason for this series of meetings is well known to all of us: it became necessary in the wake of a spate of divisive statements, in recent months and weeks, pitting the Southeast against the North.
“We are all aware of the so-called ‘ultimatum’ issued by a group of Northern youths, asking that all Igbos living in the North vacate the region.
“Before then, there was the clamour – and it’s still ongoing – by some south-eastern youths, operating as IPOB and affiliated groups, demanding secession from Nigeria at all costs and by any means.”
According to him, in the previous meetings with other stakeholders, it was agreed that the best thing for the country is for it to remain together.
Osinbajo added: “In all our previous engagements with Northern and South-Eastern leaders, we all came to the consensus that Nigeria is stronger and better together, and that these hate-filled and divisive rhetoric and agitations are unjustifiable, unacceptable and often times illegal. And I would like to reiterate that today.
“Nigeria has seen enough violence and bloodshed in its history, the price of our unity has already been paid in the blood and lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians.”
The acting President assured the royal fathers that government is available to listen to suggestions and answer any question “and very importantly, to reassure everyone that we are committed to the unity of Nigeria, and that upon the foundation of that unity we can together build a prosperous and great country.”
He said no one should take the nation’s diversity for granted as it is an instrument for binding the country together.
The Acting President also stated that: “We must never take our diversity for granted; the fullness of our strength actually lies in that diversity. And we must wield that diversity, not as divisive tool, but instead as a binding agent.
“As we round up these consultations tomorrow with a meeting with governors, it is clear to me that we are all resolved to by words, conduct and action, promote the unity of our dear nation.
“On our part as government, let me say that we will ensure that the entire apparatus of government is deployed to ensure that no one threatens Nigeria’s territorial integrity, that no one threatens the lives or livelihoods of any Nigerian living anywhere in the Federation.
“Our objective is to provide the environment for a prosperous nation, a nation where all regardless of ethnicity or religion can pursue their legitimate aspirations peacefully and securely.”
Speaking to State House Correspondents later Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, said that the traditional rulers have pledged to ensure the unity of Nigeria.
He said Osinbajo urged them to educate the younger generation about the history of the nation and the civil war which led to the loss of lives and properties.
He said the Acting President noted that most of those agitating were young people who do not know the history of the country.
Prominent monarchs present were the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III, who led the delegation; Emir of Kano Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; the representative of the Emir of Katsina, Prof. Sani Lugard (Waziri Katsina); Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe, Niger State; Alhaji Ibrahim Sule Gambari, Emir of Ilorin, Kwara State; Alhaji Mustapha Agwai II, Emir of Lafia, Nasarawa State and Alhaji Kyari Umar El-Kanemi, Shehu of Bama representing Shehu of Borno.
Others are Jacob Buba Jang, Gbong Gwon Jos; Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, Emir of Gombe; Ndakwo Ameh Oboni II, Attah Igala, Kogi State; Alhaji Muhammadu Ibn Abali, Emir of Fika, Yobe State; Alhaji Attahiru Ahmed Muhammed, Emir of Zamfara; Professor James Ayatse, Tor Tiv, Benue State, and Alhaji Adamu Buba Baba Yinusa, Emir of Abaji, FCT.
Others are Alhaji Muhammed Isah Muhammed, Emir of Jama in Kaduna State; Justice Lawal Hassan, Emir of Gumi and coordinator of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council; Alhaji Emmanuel, Etsu Karu of the FCT and Sakaruyi of Karu, Dr. Emmanuel Kyauta Yekwi.
Among those that showed up were representative of Senate President and Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’alla; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzau; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.
Others are Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin and National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno.