Buhari blasts ‘irresponsible elements’

President Muhammadu Buhari has described as “irresponsible elements” those calling for the renegotiation of Nigeria’s unity.


In his six-minute broadcast to the nation Monday morning, Buhari had noted that some of the comments, especially in the social media, had “crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation.”

“This is a step too far,” the President warned.

“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,” he reiterated.