Governor Udom Emmanuel has cautioned the political class to avoid actions capable of threatening Nigeria’s unity as they canvass votes ahead of this year’s elections.

“As we get ready to elect our new set of leaders, I urge our political class to understand that we need the country to be one indissoluble entity for our aspirations for leadership to be actualised,” stated the Akwa Ibom governor. “We must not threaten the unity of this nation for the narrow desire to be in power if these gallant men and women paid the ultimate price for us to remain in peace and harmony.”

Mr Emmanuel gave the warning in his remarks on Sunday during the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations in Uyo. He said the nation must appreciate and redouble efforts in showing undying gratitude to the families of the slain armed forces and war veterans.

The governor called on Nigerians from all walks of life to outgrow diversity and deepen their unity among one another in appreciation for the sacrifices the fallen heroes paid for the nation.

He urged Nigerians to extend the frontiers of love and brotherhood further so that the sacrifices of the gallant officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces would not be in vain.

“We are gathered here today for this deeply solemn annual event to honour the sacrifices, patriotism, and gallantry of our proud men and women who wore our military uniforms, bore arms, and went out, motivated mostly by the ennobling spirit of volunteerism to fight for our country and in the process helped secure the peace we now enjoy,” he explained.

Mr Emmanuel added, “Today, the seed of our freedoms, the building blocks of our territorial integrity, the pillars of our unity, however fragile, were secured through the blood of these patriots. Our diversity, which should form a rainbow of strength, is being exploited for narrow political advantage while zero-sum game tactics are still being employed and deployed all over the nation.”

He stressed that “we must also pay them a corresponding price of appreciation and gratitude by ensuring that the cords of our unity, justice, equality, fairness, and love remain our abiding articles of faith.”