Secession threats mere noise, says Abdusalami

Former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, said the country will not break up despite the security challenges and agitations by various regions for self-determination. He described the calls for secession as mere noise.

Speaking to reporters at the Government House, Makurdi, General Abdulsalami expressed hope that the country will overcome her present challenges. He noted that Nigerians have intermingled over a long period of time and lived with obvious developmental challenges which would make it difficult for any break up.

According to him, “This is not the first time I am saying this, all the secession threats here and there with the security challenges are mere noise because we have deeply intermingled; wherever you go you see Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Kanuris and others so, there is nothing that can break up this country because God has brought us together.”

He added, “What everyone needs to do is support the federal government effort. If you are talking about security then, who are the miscreants and where do they live. They live among us, so we must play our part by reporting them to the security agencies.”

He lauded the effort so far made by President Goodluck Jonathan in key sectors such as education, security and power and affirmed that these efforts will soon be made manifest and some of the problems solved.

He called on the elite to support President Jonathan through quality advise and suggestions on how to keep Nigeria one because it is the responsibility of every Nigerian to contribute to the development of the nation.

General Abdulsalami described Governor Gabriel Suswam’s contribution to nation building as unprecedented and expressed hope that with leaders like him, the country will be better.

He said, “I have followed your activities as a young legislator and now as governor and what you have done to your state and country in general. We the elders are proud that the country may never lack those who shall lead the people politically.”

Governor Suswam, on his part, described General Abdulsalami as the greatest Nigerian who had an opportunity to hold on to power for a long time but organised an election in nine months.

Source: The Nation