President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to protect the unity of the country, saying no differences or disagreement should be allowed to destroy the nation.
Tinubu, represented by Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, spoke on Tuesday at an event in Abuja.
The President said dialogue was important in keeping Nigeria united, while assuring that his administration remained committed to tackling insecurity and promoting peace.
He said, “Not only that, the government is determined to make sure that we remain united as a country, despite our differences. Whatever the differences may be, we should talk and remain in this country, and allow this country to remain a united nation, a united country.”
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, also warned politicians against using religion and ethnicity to gain political advantage.
Yilwatda said Nigeria’s diversity should unite its people rather than create further divisions.
Speaking from his experience as a displaced person during the Bauchi crisis, he said violence affects everyone, regardless of their religion.
“When violence comes, it does not ask whether you are a Christian or a Muslim before it destroys either your home or your humanity, or your dignity,” he said.
He said Nigerians might worship differently but still have common hopes, fears and aspirations.
“We may worship differently. Or we may suffer together. We dream together. We can build together. And ultimately, we can rise and fall together,” Yilwatda said.
The APC chairman urged political leaders to avoid turning religion and ethnicity into political weapons, warning that short-term political benefits could cause lasting harm to the country.
“No political victory is worth the permanent damage inflicted on our nation, and we’ve been seeing it every day,” he said.
President Tinubu demands national coexistence amid rising tensions