Biafra: finally Jonathan speaks on IPOB, advises Buhari

Following the uprising in the South East and other parts of Nigeria as a result of the agitation for Biafra, the immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan has counseled President Muhammadu Buhari to summon a Council of State meeting.

The former president said Buhari should summon the counsel of State so as to advise him on how to handle the current crisis across the country.

Jonathan made the remark while condemning the burning of a police station by some persons believed to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

On a post on his Facebook, Jonathan also condemned the threat to human life by several elements across the country.

Calling for dialogue among Nigerians, he urged indigenes to continue to show love to one another as this was the only way to ensure the continued existence of the country.

He wrote: “The reports I have received about recent developments in the country lead me to appeal to all men of good will to use whatever influence they have to push for peaceful coexistence and restraint on all sides.

“Perhaps it is time for the Council of State to intervene and offer its wise counsel. Irrespective of whatever provocation, Nigerians must never turn on each other.

“Even in the face of difficult circumstances, we must have faith that God in His infinite wisdom will guide us to finding a way out that is fair and just to all concerned.

“Inasmuch as there may be the need to enforce order, there is a greater need to reinforce our humanity and treat Nigerian citizens humanely whether they are from the North or South.

“Nothing justifies the desecration and destruction of religious places of worship or a police station. But even more so, nothing justifies the endangering of human life. Let us exchange ideas instead of exchanging insults and threats.”

Jonathan’s call is coming at a time when there is so much tension in the South East which has spread to other regions of the country.

The tension has been fuelled by the deployment of military under the code name, Operation Python Dance II.