Nigeria’s unity not negotiable – Group backs Buhari

A social-political group, the South West Coordinating office of Stand Up for Nigeria, SUN, in a solidarity rally in major parts of Lagos, South-west Nigeria, has reaffirmed the unity of Nigeria and the belief of the citizens in President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration.

Members of the group distributed pamphlets across Ikeja, Opebi, Allen Avenue, Lagos State House of Assembly and the Lagos House.

They also marched through Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s official residence to enlighten Nigerians on the need for the country’s unity.
The South West Coordinator for SUN, Patriot Abiona Desmond maintained that the unity and continued existence of Nigeria was not negotiable.

The group, however, passed a vote of confidence on the President Buhari’s administration, stressing that his commitment to curb corruption and ensure security of lives and properties are already being fruitful.

He said, “This is why we are today holding this march to not just add our voice to the discourse but to demonstrate our preparedness to back our position with action when the need arises.

“For us, the demand for restructuring is a coded way of calling for the disintegration of Nigeria, which is why we rightly concluded that it is not the way to go.

“We have seen several groups and eminent persons hyping restructuring as if it is a cure all for all the things that are wrong with the country, whereas the main issues are not being addressed.”

According to him, if many ethnic nationals that make up Nigeria feel unfulfilled, it is because their leaders were corrupt, act with impunity and promote violence against their own ethnic stocks.

He said, “Fortunately, these are the shortcomings that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has been tackling head on. We have seen how endemic corruption became under the previous regimes. It was this satanic level of corruption that sustained the era of impunity.

“The attempt to either cover up the corruption or justify corrupt expenses was the driver for the rise and spread of insurgency. No wonder the crisis entrepreneurs have found a new pastime in calling for restructuring.

“We are therefore urging Nigerians to look beyond the clamour for restructuring. We should, for a start, assess where we have been, where we are and where we want to be at any material time.

“This assessment is best done under a purposeful leadership which we are lucky to have under President Buhari who has strengthened our belief in the unity of this country in which our faith is unwavering.

“There is no better response from us as conscientious Nigerians that to pass a vote of confidence in President Buhari.

“The vote of confidence should translate into more citizens’ support that will spur him on to do even more.

“When this happens, Mr President would be able to leave this country even more united than he met it.”

Desmond said Nigeria has regained its deserved respect in the comity of nations because of the President’s performance in office in the last one year.

He continued, “The President is doing well and would do more if we reduce the distraction, team up with him and believe in the greatness of Nigeria despite its current challenges.”

Adding, “This is a task that must not be taken lightly because Mr President would only have to focus to perform better if these separatists and their sponsors stop distracting the nation with their childish demands.”