Nigeria must remain indivisible–Speakers

Val Okara Owerri.

Speakers of the 36 Houses of Assembly have condemned the violent agitations and hate speeches which has been creating tensions in the country, stating that the country must remain one indivisible country where every Nigerian has an inalienable right to reside in any part of the country and do their business without any fear of intimidation, molestation.

The state lawmakers also urged aggrieved ethnic groups to channel their grievances and complaints through their elected representatives at the Federal or state levels The Speakers made their position known on Thursday in a resolution reached after their joint session presided by the Imo state Speaker, Hon. Acho Ihim and which held at the Imo state House of Assembly to address the rising tension in the country occasioned by hate speeches.

The majority leader of the Imo state House of Assembly, Hon . Lugard Osuji moved a motion against Hate Speeches and violent agitation which was supported by all the members.The lawmakers resolved that , ” the violent approach adopted by members various ethnic, political and religious groups whose actions are threatening the unity of oneness and territorial integrity of Nigeria is hereby condemned .

That any ethnic group or persons that have complaints or grievances should be channeled through their elected representatives at both the state or the federal level .

That all Nigerians have the inalienable rights reside in any part of the country and do business, without fear of intimidation, molestation, injury or seizure of movable or immovable properties”

They equally called on the federal, state, local and traditional rulers to be alive to their responsibilities to protect lives and properties of citizens regardless of where they come from as a way of improving governance and that religious leaders should guide and advise their members to tow the part of peace and mutual co- existence.

The state lawmakers, called on the President Mohamed Buhari to direct all security agencies to monitor the activities of the groups to ensure that the perpetrators of violence and breach of peace are promptly and decisively dealt with in accordance with the law of the country.