THE Federal Government on Tuesday urged Nigerians to embrace unity and peace and avoid fuelling tension through the promotion of sectional interests.
Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, who gave the advice, warned that resentment and anger can only lead to anarchy.
He urged Nigerians to exercise restraint and employ constructive dialogue, good neighbourliness and peace-building to douse anger, resentment and tension.
In a statement in Abuja titled: “A time to put unity and peace above all,” Aregbesola said, w that “the regrettable incidences of heightening ethnic and religious tension in our country are, in part, outcomes of political and economic strains that have persistently defined our land and continue to exacerbate security challenges, making the task of development more traumatic.”
He added: “Government is keenly aware and genuinely concerned about these complications that, sadly, have been sharpened by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic through the growth of anxieties about issues, life and livelihood in our communities.”
The minister explained that government is having a holistic look at the challenges to bring lasting peace, security and amity to all communities.
He warned that government would not tolerate any act or behaviour capable of jeopardising law and order as well as security of lives and property in any part of the country.
Aregbesola said: “There will be no tolerance for any act or behaviour capable of jeopardising law and order and security of lives and property in any part of Nigeria.
“Therefore, as the government is fashioning long term answers to address these problems, it urges citizens to appreciate that self-help and lawlessness cannot offer a path to sustainable solution.
“It can only lead to greater pain as well as costly human and material losses and disruption of the already difficult task of devising responses that will produce tangible peace and development in the country.”
The minister assured that the government would bring state, community, security, traditional institutions, religious organizations and youth groups into a purposeful dialogue that will bring effective resolutions to the problem within constitutional and legal frameworks.
He, therefore, called on Nigerians to continue to work together as brothers and sisters towards building a peaceful community that will be beneficial to all, irrespective of ethnicity, religion and other differences.