WORRIED by the threat of balkanisation of Nigeria by some pro-Biafran secessionist groups, the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Ewuare has appealed to politicians to do their best to keep the country united as one single entity.
Speaking in Benin Tuesday during a visit by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Oba Ewuare 11 appealed to politicians to always put Nigeria first in all they do and refrain from taking steps that will fragment the country.
He said: “Politicians must remember our country and try to keep it one in spite of efforts aimed at fragmenting the country. We must do our best to keep Nigeria one.”
The traditional ruler said that going by his experience as an ambassador to several countries for many years, Nigerians and Nigeria are highly respected by foreigners, is the most populous country in Africa.
He said that the squabbles on the National Assembly which led to the recent sealing off of the Chambers by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) was not healthy for the nation’s budding democracy.
He added: “Our lawmakers should avoid personal quarrels and petty squabbles over spoil of office. I am not happy with the quarrel in the National Assembly. Our elected leaders should cater for the welfare of the common man and put food on their tables.”
The Omo N’Oba who lamented the general state of insecurity in the country said that the spate of killings have never been worse.
The Benin monarch tasked political office holders and aspirants to profer solution to the rising cases of killings.
noted that without peace and security, nothing tangible in form of development can be achieved.
He advised: “All aspiring office holders and office holders should do their best to address this state of insecurity which the country has never seen.”