Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has described the ultimatum issued by a Northern youth coalition to the Igbos to quit the region as “provocative, and a grave threat to national security.”
He also took a swipe at the counter response by a South-east group, noting that both actions were “reckless and thoughtless.”
In a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja, Wednesday, the former Vice President explains that he was alarmed by the latest dangerous outbursts, warning that it does not augur well for the North and the country at large.
According to him, for a country facing threats of disunity, such ultimatum and counter rhetoric at this time is most irresponsible and callous, because it is capable of setting off a chain of ugly events nobody could control.
The APC chieftain warned politicians of all hues to distance themselves from such divisive rhetoric because “the consequences of such association could ultimately consume them.”
He called for restraint on all sides by the Youth groups to pave the way for meaningful dialogue on how to restructure our country for the good of all.
“Our country is too precious; our problems are too pressing to pander to divisive rhetoric,” the statement quoted Atiku as saying.
The former VP however cautioned that the country should not be afraid to confront the recurring clamour for restructuring, adding that burying problems under the carpet wouldn't make those problems go away. On the contrary, he warned, “an ostrich attitude towards these challenges could produce future complications beyond our capacity to manage."
