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President Bola Tinubu has commended the Finnish government for arresting and detaining Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Tinubu spoke on Friday when he received a letter of credence from Sanna Selin, Finnish ambassador to Nigeria, at the State House.
The president said his administration would not tolerate actions and statements that could lead to division among citizens.
“I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible,” Tinubu told Selin.
“We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism.
“I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness. We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development.
“Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward.”
Tinubu said the intervention from the Finnish authorities safeguarded the nation’s integrity and mitigated an action that threatened peaceful coexistence.
“The national security adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has informed me. I know what the rule of law means,” the president said.
“The rule of law safeguards our democratic credentials, morals and values. We must respect the rule of law.”
Selin said Simon Ekpa hindered bilateral relations and noted that cooperation between Finland and Nigeria has now improved following Ekpa’s arrest.
” The national security adviser has been providing all the evidence,” the ambassador added.
Selin hailed Tinubu for his economic reforms, touting Finland as a partner in energy security.
Tinubu also received letters of credence from Gautier Mignot, ambassador of the European Union (EU), and Hocine Mezoued, Algerian ambassador.
The president noted that the EU remained one of Nigeria’s highest trading partners and urged the envoy to elevate the ties.
He also called for collaboration between Nigeria and Algeria to implement the trans-Saharan African Gas pipeline project.
