Poor Nigerians believe in unity – elite do not, says Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan says the elites are the ones pushing for Nigeria’s breakup.

Addressing journalists on Saturday, Lawan said the ordinary citizens believe that the country should remain as one contrary to calls for secession.

“I believe that majority of Nigerians believe that they should stay together – and I mean the ordinary Nigerians,” Lawan said in his hometown in Yobe state.

“These are people who believe in the unity of this country. But the elites is where the problem is.

“The elites will tell you, no, we have to secede. I believe that we should be fair to the multitude of Nigerians – those ordinary people of Nigeria.”

The senate president added the masses also desire to be led properly — and “we must give them a fair leadership.”

He said grievances of those calling for secession should always be addressed but added a caveat: “That is not likely to be the most popular position of the people from any part of the country.”

“So, I believe that unity of this country is non-negotiable,” he said.

Lawan’s statement re-echoes the views of President Muhammadu Buhari who has insisted that Nigeria is stronger together than apart.

Just as calls for secession has heightened in recent weeks, the president has continued to restate his commitment to ensuring that Nigeria never breaks up.