Osinbajo, Northern leaders in closed-door meeting at Aso Rock , promise to deal with any troublemakers.

The Acting President said, “As a government, we are determined to ensure the unity of the country along the lines of our Constitution and I want to say that hate and divisive speech or divisive behaviour where it is illegal will be met with the full force of the law.

“I want to ensure that there is no doubt at all that it is the resolve of the government that none will be allowed to get away with making speeches that can cause sedition or that can cause violence.

“This is especially because when we make these kinds of pronouncement and do things that can cause violence or destruction of lives and property, we are no longer in control. Those who make those speeches are no longer in control.

“So I want to emphasize that government will take very seriously any attempts to cause violence or disrupt the peace of this country. And that is very important because you cannot control violence once it begins.”

Osinbajo likened violence or hate speech to a stone that is thrown in the marketplace which will hit targets that will be deadly.

He said Nigerians needed to be fully conscious that they do not create a crisis that is not intended.
Osinbajo admitted that as part of living together, misunderstandings and frustrations will always arise and people will always want to get the best part of the deal.

This notwithstanding, he said Nigerians must be careful to recognise that they can only begin to talk about any part of anything if they are together in peace.

“These days, wars do not end and I am sure that those who have seen or experienced war in any shape or form will not wish it on their worst enemies.

“This is not a time to retreat behind ethnic lines, moments like this are not for isolating ourselves.

“I want to urge all of us here and the entire Nigerian populace to come together and work together,” 
he appealed.



Cc: punchng