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President Muhammadu Buhari addressed Nigerians in a nationwide broadcast on Monday morning, two days after returning to the country from the United Kingdom.
The President had been in London for 103 days to treat an undisclosed ailment, before returning to Nigeria on Saturday.
Buhari in the nationwide broadcast to the nation today, gave us three major hints about how he will react to some of the national issues [Restructuring, security, and secession plans by some ethnic groups] bothering Nigeria as a country.
Watch President Muhammadu Buhari’s National Address https://t.co/zZuCbhybng
— NTA News (@NTANewsNow) August 21, 2017
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Buhari frowns at separatist movements, those making hate speeches
Prominent in the Buhari’s first speech to Nigerians today is his preparedness to deal with separatist movements, as well as those who are making inflammatory statements which threaten Nigeria’s unity and stability.not mincing words as regarding those making hate speeches and separatists movement, he said while in London, he kept in touch with Nigeria, but was distressed to notice that some of the comments, especially on social media, have crossed national red lines by daring to question Nigeria’s collective existence as a nation.
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His words “2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analyzed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united.
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.
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Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.
I believe the very vast majority of Nigerians share this view.”
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Buhari not ready to lead talks on restructuring
In the national broadcast which lasted approximately six minutes, Buhari communicated that he is unwilling to lead or welcome talks on the restructuring of Nigeria.
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Though the President admitted there are grievances in some quarters of the country, he, however, refused to take responsibility for leading the talks to act on the agitations for restructuring by pushing the topic back to Nigerians and the National Assembly.
He said, “ This is not to deny that there are legitimate concerns. Every group has a grievance. But the beauty and attraction of a federation is that it allows different groups to air their grievances and work out a mode of co-existence.
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The National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse.
The national consensus is that it is better to live together than to live apart.”
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Intensify fight against terrorism
Another key area where President Buhari again stated what he will do clearly is on security. The President acknowledged Nigeria still suffers setbacks in his anti-terrorism fights.
Buhari speaks, “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.
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.”