The details of President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with leaders of Yoruba socio-political Organisation, Afenifere, have emerged.
He met with the delegation, led by the leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Oba Olu Falae, at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Nigerian leader declared that he is committed to the unity of Nigeria and constitutional democracy.
The declaration by Tinubu came days after Yoruba Nation agitators, dressed in military camouflage and armed with guns, stormed the Oyo State Government Secretariat, attempting to hoist the Yoruba Nation flag on the premises of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
The Yoruba Nation promoters are seeking the breakaway of the Yoruba people from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
They contended that the interest of the Yoruba people had not been adequately protected in Nigeria, saying their welfare would be better taken care of under a separate sovereign entity to be known as Yoruba Nation.
But Tinubu vowed to keep Nigeria as one while promising harsh consequences for persons who pit themselves against Nigeria’s sovereignty and security.
The President said, “I am irrevocably committed to the unity of Nigeria and constitutional democracy. Constitutional democracy has been reflected greatly here since we assumed office. What we face now is the challenge of terrorism.
“Security of life and property is necessary for development. I can tell you we are achieving success. We have degraded terrorism to a level that it can no longer threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“Banditry and kidnapping will be defeated. And there is no payment of ransom whatsoever. We are taking the battle to them. We are getting results more rapidly than before. We are working hard on intelligence gathering.
“Those who think they can threaten the sovereignty of Nigeria will have themselves to blame. They have a price to pay. And we are not going to relent.”
