Acting President Yemi Osinbajo says the federal
government is aware that there are problems in every
part of the country.

Speaking on Tuesday at a meeting with traditional
rulers from the north, Osinbajo advised aggrieved
Nigerians to express their grievances in a civilised
manner.

He said the current administration would not hesitate
to deal with those threatening the sovereignty of the
nation.

Osinbajo added that in all the meetings and
consultations held since tension arose as a result of
the quit notice given to the Igbo residing in the north, it
has been clearly established that it is better for
Nigerians to remain as one.

He said thousands of soldiers and civilians have used
their blood to pay for the unity of the country.

“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,” he said.

“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 said the action of the coalition of Arewa youth
made him convey a meeting of stakeholders from the
two geopolitical zones.

He had earlier met with leaders of thought from the
south-east.

“The reason for these 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 south-east against the north,” he
said.

“We are all aware of the so-called ‘ultimatum’ issued
by a group of northern youths, asking that all Igbo
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.

“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.

“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 off 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.”

TheCable