Osinbajo Urges Igbo Leaders to talk Loud And clear against Hate Speech

Nigeria’s Acting President, Mr. Yemi Osinbajo, has urged Igbo leaders to join other leaders in the country in condemning hate speech, including perhaps the kind being heard on the infamous Radio Biafra launched by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB. Mr. Osinbajo urged the leaders to embrace peace and speak up at a critical time like this when some Igbo are calling for secession and some Hausa/Fulani are asking Igbo to leave the North latest by October 1. Mr. Osinbajo was meeting with Igbo ‘Leaders of Thought’ in Abuja. His meeting came after he met with northern leaders and urged them also to embrace peace and avoid incendiary comments that may lead Nigeria closer to chaos. Read his full remarks here TEXT OF OPENING REMARKS MADE BY THE ACTING PRESIDENT YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, AT HIS MEETING WITH LEADERS OF THOUGHT FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES HELD AT THE OLD BANQUET HALL, STATE HOUSE, ABUJA ONWEDNESDAY JUNE 14, 2017 “The reason why it cannot be tolerated is that the very many innocent men, women, children and the vulnerable amongst us deserves safety and security and our own emotions must not be allowed to run wild in such a way as to endanger the lives of so many”. Protocol Let me first say how deeply grateful I am that you have responded so well and so quickly at very very short notice to this invitation. Yesterday I kicked off a series of consultations and engagements with Leaders of Thought from the Northern States of Nigeria. It was a very useful meeting and today’s meeting is the second in the series with you, the Leaders of Thought from the Southeast. After this, I will meet with Religious and Traditional Leaders again from the Southeast and on Monday I will be meeting with Religious Leaders also from the North. And then in the final consultations next week, I will be meeting both with state Governors and finally with all of the groups that I have met with from the North, the South and we’ll be joined I hope then, by the Governors also and we all hopefully be in the same room for further engagement and consultations. I want to say again a very very big thank you for your making the time to come to this particular meeting. These consultations are extremely necessary, and important, especially because of the recent events in our country and I’m sure that most of us have followed this quite closely. You are all aware that there have been loud and sometimes hostile agitations by young people in the Southeast calling for secession from Nigeria. And then there was the recent ultimatum issued by a group of young people also from the North, asking all persons of Southeast origin living in the North to leave by October 1 this year. Both of these expressions and agitations from both sides, have been attended with some controversial and very hateful approach including patently illegal and violence-inducing remarks. I firmly believe that we ought to address these agitations and proclamations urgently and decisively. Burying our heads in the sand and expecting the storm to blow over of their own accord is not an option. But equally not reasonable is falling for the temptation for any kind of tit-for-tat whether it is in the language used or it is in the kinds of gestures that have been expressed. This has never worked or moved anyone closer to a peaceful or sensible resolution. And so it’s in our bid, as government, to deal with these pressing issues and grievances, that we’ve convened these series of consultations, with various groups. It’s the right and responsible thing I think for us as leaders not to shy away from the responsibility to ensure and uphold peace and security in our country. And it’s my view that the responsible role of those of us who are privileged to be leaders in our society is to chart progressive and lofty courses for our people, for the ordinary people. As leaders, we carry the burden to secure the peace, progress and prosperity of our people. And that is why our voices ought to be heard and heard loud and clear at moments like this in the defense and articulation of what is truly beneficial to the nation and the people, and what is right and patriotic. Our pricey state has long past via very m any difficult times. We’ve survived bloody coups, several rounds of ethno-religious violence, we’ve emerged even from a protracted and bloody Civil war. each person here have visible near-up what violence can do to a rustic. I believe I talk for us all after I say that no person right here is eager to see Nigeria embroiled in violence or bloodshed of any kind. mainly no longer whilst we are only simply emerging from a brutal insurgency that has ate up more than 20,000 of our brothers, sisters and children, as well as the better a part of a decade in the Northeast of Nigeria. One thing is clear – violence and conflict aren't going to do anybody any true. they are horrible and that they suggest no exact. they're clean to begin however close to impossible to give up. In reality, records has proven us specially present day history that wars nowadays hardly ever cease. They just sincerely cross on. indeed, you’re all aware of the Igbo proverb that announces that “aman who rushes into conflict does no longer recognise that conflict entails death.” we are witnesses to the unspeakable devastation that conflict continues to inflict internationally. nobody who has seen the horrors of conflict – even simply on television – would want it on their worst enemy. it is also clean that wars from time to time start, now not with bullets, however with phrases. Hateful, incendiary speech, opening floodgates of blood. The tongue, like the pen, is often mightier than the sword – due to the fact it's miles what pushes the sword into movement. whilst we throw words like stones in a marketplace we do now not understand who or what it'll hit. knowing this, below no situations by any means ought to we tolerate or excuse or justify hate speech or hateful behavior of any kind, particularly wherein such is illegal. let me of route renowned that as a part of dwelling together in this area known as Nigeria, misunderstandings and frustrations are inevitable. because assets are restricted there will usually be a striving to get what's perceived because the exceptional seat at the desk. All of this is regular and to be expected, in particular in a democracy, like ours. A healthful democracy should be a theatre of active striving via all events and stakeholders. but matters must in no way descend to a level in which mutual suspicions override the choice to stay collectively in peace and concord. the day gone by I made it clear, very clean that detest or divisive speech, or divisive behaviour, where it is unlawful, will be met with the entire pressure of the law. and i want to say it again nowadays that permit there be no question in any way of the remedy of presidency to make sure that no person might be allowed to escape with making speeches that may reason department mainly violence. we are able to take very seriously any tries to purpose violence or to disrupt the peace of Nigeria and it's going to surely not be tolerated. And the motive why it can not be tolerated is that the very many innocent men, girls, children and the susceptible amongst us merits safety and protection and our personal emotions ought to now not be allowed to run wild in any such way as to endanger the lives of such a lot of. and i believe that all are clean that we’re resolute in our determination as government to protect each Nigerian, everywhere within the u . s . a .. everywhere in this country, it's far the number one obligation of presidency to ensure the security of lives and property and we take that duty very seriously certainly. we are able to do the whole thing inside our strength to guard and uphold the terms of our charter, which declares that we are one nation beneath God. It additionally ensures the unfastened mobility of human beings, items and offerings for the duration of the country, in addition to complete house rights for each citizen in all and any elements of the land in their desire. it is also the aspiration of the constitution to make certain a rustic wherein, and that i quote, “loyalty to the state shall override sectional loyalties.” And it is the duty of the authorities to create the conditions for the attainment of these ideals. there may be some thing that President Buhari is keen on saying, and he’s repeated it am positive so many of us have heard it: that with out peace and security there can be no development. That the primary duty that we owe if we need to increase, is to ensure peace and safety. We can not broaden a rustic that isn't within the first vicinity secure and secure for anybody. for that reason we take extraordinarily critically our constitutional responsibilities as your authorities. those responsibilities additionally consist of being attentive to, consulting, and tasty with you; giving each citizen and each part of the Federation a feel of belonging and significance. And this is why we are here these days. I count on that our conversations here nowadays may be frank and positive, open and that all our deliberations will go toward making sure that our country is a better location, a greater peaceful place to stay in. this is an vital moment for anyone and for our u . s . a ., and that i hope that at the stop of it we are able to all be satisfied that we've accomplished something great now not just for ourselves but for the future. by means of the grace of God we are able to depart to coming generations a non violent, cozy and prosperous state; a country wherein all citizens, irrespective of their ethnic, non secular affiliations, or their ages or gender will experience deep and enduring pride. thank you very an awful lot once more for making out time to come back and i desire that our deliberations might be very fruitful and prefer I said, please let us be as frank as possible God bless you. Professor Yemi Osinbajo