Nigeria’s unity not negotiable – Buhari tells Niger Delta militants

President Muhammadu Buhari has maintained his position not to bow to Niger Delta militants’ pressure, stating that Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable. 

President Buhari was responding to incessant bombings by the Niger Delta militants, especially the Avengers.

The bombings are in their quest to cripple the economy and force the federal government to accept their demands.

The Avengers have been bombing oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta region.

According to Buhari, their attacks are apparently threatening the peace and unity of the country.

The President made the assertion when he received a cross section of Muslims.

These were in his residence within the precinct of the presidential villa to pay him Sallah homage on Wednesday. 

At the meeting, he also warned looters of the public treasures to return their loots as a condition for their personal peace. 

The President also recalled the famous quotes of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.

General Gowon had said that the task of keeping Nigeria as one indivisible entity was a task that must be done. 

He said: “We have to concentrate on the militants to try to know how many of them in terms of groupings, try to get in touch with their leadership, to try to persuade them to please give Nigeria a chance. 

“I assure them that when we were very junior officers, we were told by our leaders, by the Head of State which was Gen. Gowon that to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done…we never thought of oil. 

“What we were after is one Nigeria. Please, pass the message to the militants that one Nigeria is not negotiable. 

“And I pray they better accept it. The constitution is very clear…I assure them there would justice. 

“And please persuade those who have plenty of money that does not belong to them to try and negotiate, return it in peace so that both them and us will be in peace otherwise we will continue to request”.

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