WE MUST REMAIN TOGETHER – OSINBAJO

Says Quarrels, Agitations Are Inevitable

Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, said yesterday that all ethnic groups in the country must strive to live together in peace. Osinbajo noted that quarrels and agitations among ethnic groups could come up at any time, but that the most important thing is for those involved to give peace a chance and work in unity.

The Vice President, who spoke at the wedding ceremony of Chief Bisi Akande’s daughter, Wuraola and Dr Olawale Solabi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was apparently responding to recent developments across the country. Osinbajo added: “Today is a special one for Wale and Wura. Marriage is a very large institution that requires a lot of prayers. It is the same marriage that nations go through. Our nation has been in a marriage for a while now. Sometimes there are quarrels within that marriage. Sometimes there are disagreements. What is important is that you must remain together. You must remain united.”

Leaders across the country have been reacting to the rise in ethnic tensions across the country, following a declaration by 16 northern youth groups on Tuesday in Kaduna, giving an ultimatum to the Igbo to leave the North before Oct. 1.

The groups had based their position on the sit-at-home that was observed across the South-East penultimate week, on the orders of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i, while condemning the quit notice to the Igbo, also ordered for the arrest of the leaders of the groups. The Northern Governors Forum condemned the move through its chairman, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State.

The declaration also drew the reaction of the police which strongly warned the groups from trampling on the rights of Nigerians to live freely in any place of their choice.

On Friday, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, assured the Igbo of safety of their lives and property in the North, vowing to sacrifice the last drop of his blood to protect all Nigerians living in the state.

The Northern Elders Forum, on its part, dissociated itself from the position of the groups. Speaking on behalf of the forum, Dr. Paul Unongo, disowned a statement credited to the spokesperson of the forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, in which he supported the quit notice.

Also, Friday, the Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, advised Nigerians to avoid inflammatory remarks capable of causing disunity among the people.

Tambuwal was speaking when he hosted members of the resident communities at the annual iftar breaking of fast organised by the state government.