105 Senators sponsor motion on national unity

The Nigerian Senate has condemned the rising state of agitations for secession.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan and 104 others.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, Lawan noted that since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the priority of government has been national integration.

“That is why it established the , unity schools and the federal character principle amongst other polices,” Lawan said.

"Various integration policies and programmes in Nigeria have yielded some desired outcome, but there is more to be done as primordial ethnic sentiments and loyalties are still deep rooted.

"Some citizens rather than working for integration into a cohesive nation with a common sense of national identity and destiny, are preaching and supporting primordial affiliation for identity, loyalty and security.

"Recently, there has been clamouring for ethnically based and regionally supported threat to one united Nigeria in various parts of the country," he said.

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He urged Nigerians to desist from utterances that are capable of jeopardising the existence of the country.

Contributing to the motion, Senator Magnus Abe said Nigeria’s strength is in her diversity.

“What Nigerians don't know is that the time to split is gone, our youths take it easy, we need this country as one," said Senator James Manager.

Senator Musa Kwankwaso urged Nigerians to unite rather than call for the division of the country.

“This is a time to unite not to fight in this country. We must not be seen supporting the forces trying to divide the country," Kwankwaso said.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe called on ‘elders’ in the country to ‘talk to their children.’

Senator Lanre Tejuoso urged religious leaders to spread the message of ‘One Nigeria’ to all their followers.

Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio attributed Nigeria’s position in the world to her size and unity.

"The respect we enjoy all over the World today is as a result of our unity and size,” Akpabio said.

“Look at a country like Sudan, with all their wealth they can't enjoy it again because they are at war. Some people have not witnessed civil war before, I did. And it was terrible,” he added.

"I'm one of those who fought in the civil war and I totally stand for the unity of Nigeria," said Senator Jonah Jang.

Jang urged the federal government to revisit the National Conference recommendation as means of finding a lasting solution to the agitations of Nigerians.

In his remarks, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over plenary called on the federal government to ensure that individuals do not take laws into their hands.