National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has counselled those clamouring for secession to jettison the idea, contending that the country is better together than being separated.
Tinubu gave this admonition, on Sunday in his goodwill message which he delivered at the Special Ramadan Prayer Tafsir Lecture held at the Lagos House, Marina, warning that the war drums some people were beaten would result in the disintegration of the country as it happened in Sudan and Iraq.
Tinubu, who is a former governor of Lagos State, further warned the agitators that Nigeria cannot afford to experience another war, saying this was because it was yet to recover from the effect of the last civil war which ended in 1970. He, however, expressed his belief that Nigeria would not break, saying it was unacceptable for the country to break.
“For clamouring for war, God will not allow Nigeria to experience war. If we say Nigeria should separate, people should remember what war caused in Sudan and Iraq. Such war does not end on time. We are yet to recover from the civil war.
“We are better together. I have nowhere I am going. Whoever has experienced war in the past will not pray for such. Nigeria will not separate, it’s not acceptable to us. Our prayers are for prosperity and more wealth for the country,” he said.
Speaking further, the APC national leader, lauded the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat, for their achievements in the state, saying the state had witnessed massive developments since the administration of Sanwo-Olu came on board.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his message, promised to fulfil his campaign promises and deliver dividends of democracy.
The governor disclosed that the state government was in the process of installing 2000 cameras across the state for security surveillance, even as he said more funds would be deployed into the Security Trust Fund to empower police and other security operatives, while technology would be deployed around Lagos to strengthen security.
“We are going to install 2000 cameras in the whole state. We will stop at nothing at ensuring dividends of democracy,” he vowed.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu assured the Islamic clerics that the proposed Last-Mile buses, which his administration would unveil this month would eradicate the menace of Okada riders.
The National Missioner, Ansaru-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Ahmad Raman, also charged those clamouring for the country to divide to have a rethink.
The Islamic cleric, while admitting that insecurity was on the increase, quickly noted that with constant prayers, change of thoughts and characters by Nigerians, the country would come out of it.
“These are hard times, these are uncertain times. This is the time men are supposed to be separated from boys. This is the time that regions need to think out of the box.
“We are insecure, we are unsure, there is hunger, there is anger and confusion in the land. This is the time we need divine intervention. If we gather and pray till 2023, Allah will not listen to us till we do some things,” he said.
He added: “This is the time action is required backed by deep thoughts for today and our tomorrow. We have often blamed leaders but we have to choose the kind of leaders we deserve. Everywhere is unsafe even the police station is not safe. We need to rejig.
“For those clamouring to divide the country, maybe you should have a rethink. Ask yourself; where will this clamour for so-called independence lead us? We should reinvent this country. Nigeria will be great.”
Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello (Oniwasi Agbaye) called for more prayers, noting that the challenges the country was currently facing were a result of sins.
Bello, however, called on Yoruba leaders to unite in support of the aspirations of Tinubu’s aspiration to become the president of the county, come 2023.