A Niger Delta group, the Ijaw
Youth Council, IYC, has disagreed with President Muhammadu Buhari over his
comment that Nigeria’s unity “is settled and not negotiable.”
Buhari, while addressing
Nigerians after he returned from his prolonged medical vacation in London,
expressed strong views on Nigeria’s continued existence as one nation.
The President vowed to resist
outrightly any secessionist struggle, adding that “grievances” by groups could
only be handled the National Assembly and the Council of State, which he noted
are the “appropriate and legitimate bodies for national discourse.”
Reacting to the President’s
speech, the IYC, through its leader, Eric Omare, said Nigeria’s corporate
existence as one nation of multicultural groups remains unsettled and
negotiable.
He likened the president’s
position on the national question to military approach and one that came short
of addressing sub-structural issues that spark agitations.
“The solution in the opinion of
the IYC is for President Muhammadu Buhari to take practical steps towards
addressing the causes of persistent agitations in the country rather than
shutting the door of engagement that would lead to the resolution of the agitations.
“Mr. President must do away with
politicking and rise up to the national challenges as a statesman. We strongly
hold the view that threats of brute force would not quell the agitations.
“It is only sincere and
painstaking discussions that would solve the problems. This is because some of
the agitations are genuine and need to be addressed”, Omare said.
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