Bikers to Ride on October 1 for Nigeria’s Unity

Following growing agitations by separatist groups calling for succession, Riders Assembly, a coalition of motorbike riders, yesterday in Abuja said they would ride on October 1, 2017 Independence Day in order to drum up support for Nigeria’s unity.

The group maintained that though every Nigerian and group have the right for free speech, the country’s unity is imperative in order to move the nation forward.

Speaking on the Independence Day event, the leader of Riders Assembly, Abubakar Abdullahi explained that riding for unity is a strategic way of uniting the country.

Abdullahi said: “As we all have noticed, there has been a wave of divisive and secessionist sentiments sweeping across Nigeria since the recent 2015 elections,” Abdullahi said.

“Across the different regions of the country, individuals and groups have become increasingly vocal in their calls for the division of this great nation Nigeria.”

According to him, “amids all of this, many Nigerians remain fervent in our belief in the oneness of Nigeria, that we are stronger together, that progress and development only comes through enduring peace and unity, that our differences are what makes us a beautiful people and our population is what has earned us position as the ‘giant of Africa.’

“We therefore intend to use October 1, Independence day commemoration of this year 2017 to remind our fellow country men across board that this nation is the only one we have to call our own and that the unity in diversity is a sure way to achieve the development of Nigeria, all well-meaning Nigerians yearn to see come to pass.

“Our means of spreading this noble message will involve us riding with bikers from different parts of this great country in Abuja as we celebrate Nigeria’s 57th Independence day, the one Nigeria ride,” Abdullahi stressed.