Federal lawmaker financing agitation for Nigeria’s break up – Buhari

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said a serving member of the National Assembly is among those financing the secessionist movements in the country.

Buhari made the claim in his speech broadcast nationwide to mark Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary. He, however, did not mention the name of the federal lawmaker.

Africa’s largest economy is facing renewed calls for self-determination in the southeast and southwest regions, with agitators blaming the Buhari administration for the escalating tension and insecurity in the country.

Nnamdi Kanu’s Indigenous People of Biafra has upped its push for independence of the Southeast from Nigeria, while in the Southwest, Sunday ‘Igboho’ Adeyemo’s campaign for an Oodua Republic has found a home with many disenchanted with the Buhari government.

But the president, in his usual style, insisted that the country’s “unity is not negotiable,” blaming “high-profile financiers” for the secessionist calls.

“The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, and the on-going investigations being conducted have revealed certain high-profile financiers behind these individuals,” Buhari said.
“We are vigorously pursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of the National Assembly.”