President Muhammadu Buhari spokesman, Femi Adesina, on Friday described Nigerian Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, as among those sponsoring secessionists in the South-East.
Adesina stated this in his weekly write-up, ‘From the Inside’ on Friday.
In a piece he titled, “Weighty Matters About Our Country,” published on his Facebook page, Adesina who did not directly mention Abaribe’s name gave a description of events that showed he was referring to the senator.
He wrote, “Some people incite violence through words or actions, thus exacerbating the security challenges we have. You wonder where they are from, and why they would further stoke a burning fire with incendiary materials.
“There is one funny Senator who talks about the mismanagement of our diversity as a country, yet he daily uses foul language against those in leadership. He stood surety for someone bent on dismemberment of the country, and when that one vanished, and he should have been cooling his feet in prison, the Senator still spews rubbish. Chief ‘mismanager’ of our diversity.
“And the President had words for him and his ilk, who exist round the country: “We are ready to arrest and prosecute all persons inciting violence through words or action. Our resolve for a peaceful, united, and one Nigeria remains resolute and unwavering…
“The seeds of violence are planted in people’s heads through words. Reckless utterances of a few have led to losses of many innocent lives and destruction of properties.”
Recall that Abaribe and two others had stood as sureties for the detained Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu before he was granted bail on April 25, 2017, by the Abuja Federal High Court.
Kanu later deserted the country after his home was invaded by the Nigerian Army. He consequently jumped bail.
The piece by Adesina is coming as President Buhari during his independence anniversary address on October 1, hinted that his administration had identified sponsors of the secessionist groups and their leaders.
Buhari had in the address mentioned that a member of the National Assembly is one of the secessionists sponsors.