In 2003, Ojukwu And I Concluded That Nigeria Must Remain One, United– Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that in 2003, he and the late Igbo leader, Chief Emeka Ojukwu concluded that Nigeria will “remain one and united”.

The president, who made the statement in a nationwide broadcast on Monday, said this amidst the struggle for a sovereign state of Biafra by Eastern groups.

Buhari said that during his stay at the United Kingdom, he was distressed to notice that some of the comments on social media “crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation. This is a step too far.”

He categorically stated that political mischief makers who are fueling ethnic violence shall be severely dealt with by his government.

He said, “In 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.

“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.

“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.”