I won’t preside over a divided Nigeria — Jonathan

Amid the declaration of “independence” by some groups in the country, President Goodluck Jonathan has said he remains committed to the unity of the country.

Jonathan spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, on Friday in Abuja.

The president’s comment came against the backdrop of the declaration of independence by the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People and the Bakassi Self-Determination Front, all of them from the South-South zone.

The Biafran Zionist Movement had issued a similar threat.

Despite these moves, Abati said the president believed strongly in the indivisibility of the country.

He said, “The Federal Government is committed to the unity of Nigeria. It also believes strongly in the indivisibility of the country. This is also enshrined in the constitution.

“The president has made it clear that he would not preside over a divided Nigeria.

On the groups declaring “republics,” Abati said the news had so far remained in the realms of online reports with nobody coming out publicly to make the declarations.

“These things are only seen on the Internet. It is easy for people to sit in the comfort of their rooms and make pronouncements.

“But the country remains one and the government is committed to that unity,” he said.

But Abati was not forthcoming on the specific steps the government would take against the groups that had made these pronouncements.

source: Punchng