Kenneth Afor
Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, has called on those agitating for secession from Nigeria to channel their energy to call for quality governance and devolution of power in the country.
According to the monarch, the break up would unavoidably result in the separation of the black race, adding that Nigeria, which is the hope of the black race, can never be divided.
He made the call a statement issued by Alli Ibrahim, his media aide, on Sunday.
The statement read: “Nigeria is an indivisible, unbreakable, inseparable and impenetrable country and the hope of the black race. Nigeria remains the unified force of the black race and its weaknesses must be properly and technically managed. Any attempt to break up Nigeria will unavoidably result in the separation of the black race, worldwide. Nigeria can never break.
“I will admonish the break-up agitators to channel their energy towards productive venture such as calling for quality governance and devolution of power as done in some advanced countries. The leaders at the helms of affairs should be tasked to give dividends of democracy and quality lives to citizens. Promoting secession is like fuelling war that will consume the black race. As a responsible father to the nation, I can never be part of such a move.
The monarch urged agitators to be equipped with their voters’ cards in the forthcoming elections to promote competent candidates.
He also urged Nigerians in the diaspora to tone down their utterances on social media to avoid unwanted tension that could cause division.
“The government is tasked to domesticate dividends of democracy through policies that cut across all classes and social strata. The agitators should dust their Voters’ Cards, take part in the election and promote competent candidates. Nigeria is too delicate to beat the drum of division synonymous with war.
“Nigeria will bounce back. We will survive the trying time and be the envy of great nations. We have what it takes. What we need can only be done by competent leaders. Let’s harmonize Interest to demand quality governance.
“The Nigerians in Diaspora should exercise caution in contributing to issues on social media. Most of their comments are fuelling division and heightening the tension. You all planned to resign home. Of what moral justification is destroying what our forefathers laboured for and setting the house we planned to resign to on fire? The failure of past leaders sent you abroad. Let’s harmonize interest to promote competent leaders who will give us quality governance. They should act politely by managing issues maturely and not calling for war. Their families and relatives are here in Nigeria. They should know war knows no one. Be reminded that your blood may not be left out if things fall apart,” the statement read.
