Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday warned that Biafran agitators, The Arewa Youth Council, who recently issued a quit ultimatum to Igbos in the North and all those promoting hate speeches in the country risk jail terms for breaking the laws of the country.
Prof Osinbajo stated that the manner of the of the agitations, the process and intentions were wrong and in total contrast to the provisions of the country’s constitution.
The Acting President spoke at a banquet with traditional rulers from the South East at Aso Rock Villa Abuja.
Osinbajo with South East Traditional Rulers on Sunday
He said, “I want to repeat that both the agitations for secession and the ultimatum to leave the northern states are wrong and a violation of our Constitution.
“Our Constitution says in Section 2 that Nigeria is one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign state to be known by the name `The Federal Republic of Nigeria’.
“That is the law of our country. Let us not be in any doubt about the fact that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that our country remains united.
“And, anyone who violates the law in the manner such as we are seeing all over the place will be met with the full force of the law.
“The reason why it is so is because for Nigeria’s unity, enough blood has been spilled and many hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost.’’
Citing the sacrifices made in the past to keep Nigeria united, Osinbajo said that “it will be wrong for men and women of goodwill in this generation to toy with those sacrifices that had been made’’.
“Many have to do with perceived marginalization; some have argued that safety in the different zones has been compromised.
“But I want to say the only way to make things right is to do things right. And, it will be wrong of us to approach even our grievances by threatening to disobey the laws or by threatening the integrity of our nation,’’ he said.
Osinbajo reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to listening to “all the reasons, the various suggestions and the various agitations and the reasons for those agitations and to ensure that we do justice to all persons regardless of where you are from in this country.
“That is the commitment of Federal Government which I am able to make to you today.
“Our greatness lies in our being together and I believe very strongly that as our royal fathers you will ensure the message is clear to all.’’
The Acting President is expected is expected to meet on Monday with Nothern traditional rulers.