Ahead of one more meeting tomorrow afternoon with all 36 State Governors to conclude his consultative sessions over certain ethnic agitations and exchanges between some groups in the South-East and the North, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has affirmed the readiness of the Federal Government to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
According to a statement signed by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Prof. Osinbajo spoke this afternoon at a meeting with traditional rulers from the North at the Presidential Villa where he observed that traditional rulers play critical roles in the affairs of the nation.
The meeting was the third in a series that commenced last week. The Acting President has met with leaders of thought from the North, and leaders of thought from the Southeast, and on Sunday with Traditional Rulers from the South-East.
In today’s meeting, Acting President Osinbajo told the traditional rulers from the North that, “As royal fathers and traditional leaders, your place and your role in our society and nation is significant. You are the custodians of our cultures and traditions, and living embodiments of our rich heritage. You are, by virtue of your vast knowledge, wisdom and experience, both a vital link with our past, and an important guarantee for the success of our future. This is why your role in national affairs is critical”.
“Having said this, let me say that we are not deaf to the legitimate concerns and frustrations arising from around the country. Every part of Nigeria has its own grievances. But these have to be expressed graciously and managed with mutuality rather than with scorn and disdain.
“On our part as government, let me say that we will ensure that the entire apparatus of government is deployed to ensure that no one threatens Nigeria’s territorial integrity, that no one threatens the lives or livelihoods of any Nigerian living anywhere in the Federation,” Osinbajo further stated.
Osinbajo told President Muhammadu Buhari spoke of his commitment to one Nigeria as arising from his experience in the Military, where he fought side by side with Nigerians of every tribe and faith. He said “we protected each other, put our lives on the line for each other, we were brothers even in the face of death”.
“This is the type of nation we must maintain,” the Acting President affirmed.
The series of meetings, Osinbajo said, is become necessary in the wake of the spate of divisive statements in recent times pitting the South-East against the North.
“As we round up these consultations tomorrow with a meeting with governors, it is clear to me that we are all resolved to, by words, conduct and action, promote the unity of our dear nation,” Osinbajo surmised.