TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari says the unity of the country is not negotiable.

Buhari said this in his first address to the nation since he returned from London, where he had been receiving medical attention for over three months.

Revealing that he was in touch with major developments in the country while abroad, Buhari said some those who questioned our collective existence as a nation went too far.

“In the course of my stay in the United Kingdom, I have been kept in daily touch with events at home,” he said.

“Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood.”

In his absence, the call for restructuring was rife and there was tension in the land based on a quit notice which a youth group issued to the Igbo in the north.

But Buhari overruled that, saying Nigerians were free to live wherever they choose.

He also charged security agencies not to be distracted by the successes achieved in the last 18 months.

Vowing that “terrorists and criminals” would be destroyed, Buhari said the menace of herdsmen would also be tackled.

He also promised to address kidnapping and ethnic violence “fueled by mischief makers”.

“I am charging the security agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax.
terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety,” he said.

“Therefore we are going to reinforce and reinvigorate the fight not only against; elements of Boko Haram which are attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets kidnappings, farmers versus herdsmen clashes, in addition to ethnic violence fuelled by political mischief makers. We shall tackle them all.

“Finally, dear Nigerians, our collective interest now is to eschew petty differences and come together to face common challenges of; economic security, political evolution and integration as well as lasting peace among all Nigerians.

“I remain resolutely committed to ensuring that these goals are achieved and maintained. I am so glad to be home.”