Abdulsalami Abubakar, former head of state, has called on Nigerians to put all differences aside and resolve the challenges facing the nation.
The former head of state, while speaking in Minna, Niger state, on Wednesday, urged Nigerians to embrace peace.
Abubakar bemoaned the rising tension and ethnic conflicts in recent weeks, saying if issues are not properly handled, the situation can degenerate into anarchy and disintegration.
“It is true that we are all in a state of fear and collective anxiety. However, the last thing we need is for the enemy to sense a lack of unity on our part or a break in our ranks,” he said.
“We, at the National Peace Committee wish to add our voice to the voices of millions of Nigerians calling for calm in these difficult times.
“These times demand that we all join hands together to resolve put challenges so as to keep our country united. We do not have the luxury of trading blames.”
The former head of state charged the new service chiefs and the inspector general of police to rejig the security architecture of the country in order to quickly address the security challenges.
He also appealed to the people who are angry about the current happenings in the country to remain resilient and patient, stressing that there is a need for everyone to make sacrifices.
He called on governors to sheathe their swords and water down their rhetoric.