Osinbajo opposes secession saying the greatest nations in the world are multi-ethnic

VICE president Professor Yemi Osinbajo has asked all those agitating for the dissolution of Nigeria to end their calls as the greatest nations in the world are all multi-racial and multi-religious as well as being multi-ethnic.

Since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015, agitations for the balkanisation of Nigeria have grown, mainly as a result of the murderous activities of Fulani cattle herdsmen. Their livestock regularly destroy farms and when villagers complain, these herdsmen launch vicious attacks with AK47 assault rifles, sometimes killing dozens in brutal village raids.

President Buhari has been accused of being soft on the herdsmen being an ethnic Fulani man himself and someone who keeps cattle too. He is also accused of nepotism when it comes to appointments, only appointing Nigerians of northern extraction to key positions and all this has fuelled demands for the balkanisation of Nigeria.

Opposing these calls for secession, Professor Osinbajo said there is no great nation anywhere that has not had challenges, especially where there is multiracial and multi-religious setup. He added that when people with ethnic and religious differences are united and work together they would likely be economically successful.

Speaking while receiving a delegation from the Arewa Concerned People for National Unity and Religious Tolerance from Kano, led by Alhaji Auwal Maidabino and Prince Usman Ado-Bayero, Professor Osinbajo, called for unity. He told his guests that it is the duty of political leadership and social groups and organisations such as theirs, to ensure Nigerians are focused on these issues of unity and tolerance.

Professor Osinbajo said: “There is no great nation anywhere that has not had this sort of challenge, especially where you have a multi-racial, multi-religious setup. The greatest nations in the world are multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-ethnic.

“As a matter of fact, some of these things are as important as the economy and security. For the reason that a united people, who see themselves as one, are more likely to be economically successful, more likely to be able to secure themselves and secure their borders and more likely to work together for the goodness and greatness of their people.”

Delegation leader Alhaji Maidabino commended Professor Osinbajo for his innovative approach to governance and several initiatives of the Buhari administration anchored through his office and prayed on God to provide the opportunity to enable him continue to serve the nation. He noted that through schemes such as TraderMoni, National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, N-Power, and the Ease of Doing Business initiative, among others, the vice president has impacted many Nigerians across different sectors.