Secession: Senator Alimikhena warns against inflammatory statements

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA—DEPUTY Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Francis Alimikhena, APC, Edo North, said yesterday that separatist agitations in the country were uncalled for and warned against inflammatory statements.

He spoke against the backdrop of the ultimatum given Igbo to leave the north on October 1 by some northern youth groups.

According to him, such statements are capable of plunging the country into further crisis.

Alimikhena, who also called on Nigerians to pray for the quick recovery of ailing President Muhammadu Buhari, said the death wish for the President by some desperate Nigerians to score political and personal points were capable of threatening the peace, unity and corporate existence of the country.

He said: “Nigeria is one and what binds us together is stronger than whatever interest targeted at dividing us.

‘’As Nigerians, it behoves on us to pursue activities that will promote peaceful coexistence and avoid the on-going drum beat of destruction and chanting of war songs, which have created religious and ethnic tension in various parts of the country.’’

He tasked Muslim faithful to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan in all their daily activities and join hands in the continued fight for political and religious stability of Nigeria.

The senator also maintained that the Senate would continue to make laws that would promote the nation’s oneness, peace as well as ensure the unity of the country as one indivisible nation.

Alimikhena, who appealed to political leaders to stop the promotion of conflict as shadow sponsors, said:  “We are stronger collectively and the national interest is more paramount than any sectional or parochial interest.

‘’What we stand to lose at the advanced stage of conflict is more devastating than whatever gains we anticipate. All hands must be on deck to keep Nigeria as one entity.

‘’Our elder statesmen, religious and traditional institutions have the task of cautioning their Nigerians across various ethnic groups to stop their continued agitation for a break up.’’

While commending Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, for his peaceful moves and town hall meetings with various ethnic group, Alimikhena, however, lamented that some individuals were determined to pull the nation back to the dark ages.

He said: “Our founding fathers had reasons to have divided the nation, but decided to remain as one in their collective wisdom. We must maintain  the path of our founding fathers. It is too late for us to divide the nation for personal reasons.

‘’Whatever we have not been able to achieve as a nation, we cannot achieve in division. There is more need now for our collaboration than ever before.”

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