We Killed A ‘Million Of Ourselves’ To Remain One, Buhari Warns Nigerians

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned Nigerians against trouble making saying “we have killed a million of ourselves to remain one.”

Buhari was speaking while receiving former State Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at the State House on Tuesday according to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

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The president said, “We are Nigerians, God willing we remain Nigerians, and Nigeria shall remain one.’’

While calling for more steadfastness as Nigerians, noted that “the self-centeredness that led to the loss of about a million lives between 1967-1970 must not be allowed to repeat itself.”

He added that the CPC was founded on the bedrock of patriotism and loyalty to the unity of Nigeria.

Quoting the president, the statement said, “Our main objective is the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are human beings. We have our weaknesses, but I can assure you that the patriotism in us is hard earned. We have gone through all the troubles from 15th of January 1966 to date.

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“You know what I mean by this, we have killed a million of ourselves in order to keep this country together.

“I don’t think there can be any practical experience more than that. We are Nigerians, God willing we remain Nigerians and Nigeria will remain one,’’ he said.

Buhari urged all members of defunct CPC and political leaders to always be mindful of the larger picture by working towards preserving the unity, peace and integrity of the nation.

The CPC merged with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) along with some members from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and new Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, to form a government.

The president pointed out that efforts had been made in appointing some members of CPC in his government, including those in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) like the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, Minister of Water Resources, and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

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Buhari expressed delight “to welcome the forum of State Chairmen of the former Congress for Progressives’ Change to State House today. I accord great significance to this visit as it demonstrates a determination and commitment to identify with our administration.

“This visit recalls the solidarity with the successes that we have recorded in critical areas of our society. The visit also affords us the opportunity to discuss other issues of interest to the forum.

“I commend members of this forum and all members of the legacy party, CPC, for their continued dedication to the ideals of democratic governance that we all believed in.

“The doggedness with which we pursued our vision and goals that culminated into the success we recorded remain like bright stars in the history of our dear nation,’’ he added.

The president said he was particularly grateful for the “unalterable belief the members of CPC and, by extension the Nigerian electorate, had and still have in me as demonstrated in their unalloyed support for our electoral struggles which reflected in the results that we consistently recorded at the polls over the years.’’

“I listened to the remarks of your Chairman which highlighted our modest achievements in diverse areas. We shall remain resolute to continue to deliver on the promises we made to Nigerians, and to ensure that we attain greater milestones in terms of economic growth, infrastructural development, provision of security, and the war against corruption, among other responsibilities of government,’’ he added.

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Speaking, the Chairman of Forum of State Chairmen of the Defunct CPC and former Chairman of the party in Niger State, Umar Shuaibu, described the President as the “Patriarch of the CPC’’, revealing that the defunct party had maintained all its structures across the country, assuring President Buhari of their loyalty, especially in the forthcoming elections.

“Before you, the opposition was arrested and maltreated, but it is no longer so,’’ he said,

“You did not deny them what they denied you when they were in power.,” Shuaibu said.

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