Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday has expressed confidence that Nigeria will remain united despite calls for the balkanisation of the country from various quarters.
According to the elder statesman, Nigeria is indissolubile, adding that the cost for Nigeria not to continue to exist is expensive.
Obasanjo stated this while speaking during the Book Launch and 85th Birthday of Eminence Prelate Sunday Mbang of the Methodist Church Nigeria which was held at the Admiralty Centre, Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
The former president’s statement is coming at a time secessionist agitations have dominated public discourse in the country.
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the embattled Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho have both championed the call for the secession of Southeast and Southwest respectively.
Obasanjo, who reacted to the development, described the secessionists as ‘enemies’ of the country. The former president, however assured the well-wishers of the country that the ‘enemies’ of the country will not succeed, adding that he is committed to a united Nigeria.
In his words, “We are here to honour somebody we should honour, and learn from him (Mbang), to show that we genuinely love and appreciate him for the service he has rendered to the Christian community in this country and world over. And to assure him that whatever happens, we will continue to work for unity, peace, security and progress of this country.
“I know that these are things that are dear to his heart. We want to assure you that Nigeria will continue to exist because the cost for Nigeria not to continue to exist is much more than the cost for us to make Nigeria to continue to exist.
“There are many people –high and low – who can be described as enemies of Nigeria but they will not win over those who are friends of Nigeria.”
