Governors of ruling party call for national unity

Governors under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have called for unity amid the recent spate of separation talks by ethnic agitators across the country.

The governors met yesterday June 22, 2017, in Abuja under the Progressives Governors' Forum (PGF) and later released a statement signed by the Forum’s Director General, Salihu Lukman.

The statement reads, "Acknowledging the rich diverse heritage of Nigeria as a country, the PGF particularly note that the resurgence of desperate youth groups promoting ethno-regional identities and extremist positions from the different geo-political zones across the nation as currently experienced is a reflection of prevalent weak governance, poor economy and law enforcement system in Nigeria.

"PGF, therefore, called for the rise of all decent voices across this country to speak up against the upsurge of some desperate irredentist movements across all ethnic groups and support the emergence of a stronger and virile unified Nigeria for us all.

"The Forum insisted that, regardless of the nation’s diverse identities and differences, Nigeria has to thrive.

"While acknowledging that as a nation, we do have challenges, PGF believe that the resolution of those challenges rest with the development of our democracy and with it, the ascendency of structured processes of national consultations, negotiations and invariably agreements.

"Some of the challenges are highlighted in the accompanying PGF position – 'There has to be a nation first.'

"As governors elected under APC, we will work with our party leaders, the Federal Government and all Nigerians who are committed to democratic development in all parts of the country to ensure unencumbered protection of lives of all citizens in every part of the territorial boundary of our nation.

"In line with the social democratic principles of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the PGF would promote all-inclusive government, for the development of policies and programs that improve the life of every Nigerian citizen, regardless of ethnicity and religious orientation

"We must create, by all means necessary, a country that we can collectively call our home, irrespective of tongues and localities.‎"

On June 6, 2017, the Coalition of Northern Youths (CNY) issued a threatening declaration to Igbos living in the north to vacate the region before October 1, 2017.

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The declaration has led to increased calls from the south east and south west groups too to break the country.

After meeting with northern political and religious leaders last week, Acting President YemiOsinbajo warned that those responsible for the ultimatum risked jail terms as they violated the country's laws.