President Muhammadu Buhari in his Independence anniversary speech said his government has identified the financiers of separatist agitations.
He said this one of them is in the National Assembly, and the discovery was made possible by the arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo.
“The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, and the ongoing investigations being conducted have revealed certain high-profile financiers behind these individuals. We are vigorously pursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of the national assembly.
“This is a clear example of how people abandon their national leadership positions for their selfish gains. Instead of preaching unity, they are funding and misleading our youth to conduct criminal acts that sometimes lead to unfortunate and unnecessary loss of lives and property.
“As the so-called leaders run abroad to hide, our innocent youths are misled and left in the streets to fight for their senseless and destructive causes.”
He said the government is ready to arrest and prosecute those inciting violence through the words and actions
“Therefore, as a Government, 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.”
He insisted that Nigeria’s is not negotiable, but promised that government will toe the line of dialogue to address every genuine grievances in bid to achieving peace and fostering unity.
“That said, our hope is not to fight for peace. We can always settle our grievances peacefully without spilling any blood.
“Nigeria is for all of us. Its unity is not negotiable. And its ultimate success can only be achieved if we all come together with a common goal of having peace and prosperity for our nation.
“I will therefore take this opportunity, on this special day that symbolises the unity and oneness of our great nation, to ask all Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue, whatever your grievances, he Buhari said.
On Twitter suspension, the president noted that that was done for the sake of national security, adding that he had directed that the suspension be lifted when Twitter meet the conditions given by the Nigerian government. He said that high-powered government delegate has been meeting with Twitter management to resolve the impasse.
Following the suspension of Twitter operations, Twitter Inc. reached out to the Federal Government of Nigeria to resolve the impasse. Subsequently, I constituted a Presidential Committee to engage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue.
“The Committee, along with its Technical Team, has engaged with Twitter and have addressed a number of key issues. These are:
a. National Security and Cohesion;
b. Registration, Physical presence and Representation;
c. Fair Taxation;
d. Dispute Resolution; and
e. Local Content.
“Following the extensive engagements, the issues are being addressed and I have directed that the suspension be lifted but only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.”