Atiku: Nigerians Must Talk to Each Other, Not at Each Other

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said Nigerians must talk to each other and not at each other.

Atiku was reacting to astatement credited to the President of the South-west chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nathaniel Uzomah, that he (Atiku) has been silent in the wake of the ultimatum issued by a coalition of northern youth to the Igbos to leave the North, called for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, the former vice president described the claims by Uzomah “as blatant falsehood” claims by Uzomah that he has been silent in the wake of the ultimatum.

Uzomah was reported in a section of the media on Monday as claiming that Atiku was among northern leaders who had maintained silence following last week’s ultimatum.

However, in the statement issued yesterday, Ibe said: “We would not have dignified Uzomah with a response but for the implication of the intended mischief of the listing of the name of the former vice president.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Atiku had on June 7, 2017 issued a statement chastising the northern youth coalition for the ultimatum to Igbos to vacate the North. He also took exception to the counter response by a South-east group, warning that such a scenario was a recipe for crisis.”

Ibe referred to Atiku’s press statement of June 7, where he restated his abhorrence to the shocking ultimatum by a northern youth coalition to the Igbos to quit the region and the counter response by a South-east group.

The statement quoted Atiku as having said the youths’ unwarranted rhetoric is provocative, reckless and poses great threat to national security and peaceful co-existence.

“Atiku reminds everyone that the South-east and the North are two regions united by a common history. Some of the most prominent Southeasterners actually had their humble beginnings in the North. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Odumegwu Ojukwu were both born in Zungeru, Niger State. Many others, too numerous to mention, were also birthed in the North and vice versa.

“By virtue of their age, many of our youths may not know that the first elected mayor of Enugu was Umaru Altine, a Fulani from Northern Nigeria elected in 1956. Or that a year later a South easterner, Felix Okonkwo, was appointed a member of the Northern Nigeria House of Chiefs.

“With such rich legacies, we can’t afford to allow misguided elements to divide us. Nigerians must talk to each other, not at each other. The whole of Nigeria is greater than the sum of her parts,” he said

In the statement, Atiku also commended the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for rising up to the challenge posed by northern youths’ ultimatum to Igbos by initiating dialogue with leaders of the zones.

He also expressed his commitment and willingness to avail the government of the benefits of his experiences in forging lasting peace and stability.

“Atiku believes that we must all become one until, our enemies are none! That Nigeria is one united country because we, who are committed to Nigeria’s unity are more than those few who are not,” the statement said.