IYC Reacts To Buhari Speech, Says Nigeria’s Unity Is Negotiable

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide has reacted to the broadcast of President Muhammadu Buhari after his 103 days medical vacation in London, saying that the unity and continuous existence of Nigeria is negotiable.

President Buhari in his national broadcast on monday August 21, 2017 stated that the unity of Nigeria was not negotiable and warned pro-secessionist and agitators against heating up the polity.

IYC’s factional President, Eric Omare, a lawyer in a statement however said that the merely stating that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable is not the solution to the agitations as the President’s statement is reminiscent of previous statements by successive leaders especially military heads of state without addressing the root causes of the agitation.

“The solution in the opinion of the IYC is to take practical steps towards addressing the causes of persistent agitations in the country rather than shutting the door of engagement that would lead to the resolution of the agitations.

“As we advised in our press statement published on monday August 21, 2017 on the return of President Buhari, Mr. President must do away with politicking and rise up to the national challenges as a statesman.

“We strongly hold the view that threats of brute force would not quell the agitations. It is only a sincere and painstaking discussions that would solve the problems.

“This is becausse some of the agitations are genuine and needs to be addressed. Therefore, we call on President Buhari to have a change of approach towards the resolution of the ongoing agitations and threats to national security by adopting constructive engagement to resolve the issues”.