The speech which President Muhammadu Buhari will deliver to Nigerians this morning has leaked. The President, who returned from a 103-day medical vacation in London on Saturday, is billed to make a nationwide broadcast at 7am today.

But the speech has apparently leaked, as the Lagos-based The Nation newspaper which has strong links in government early this morning published excerpts of it. Buhari, according to the published excerpts, has a strong message to Boko Haram terrorists, as well as various other groups accused of over-heating the polity, among them Arewa Youths, Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), and Niger Delta militants, who have reportedly been threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria. Buhari also has harsh words for rampaging kidnappers and feuding herdsmen and farmers, according to the leaked speech.

Buhari, according to the leaked speech, will say during his broadcast:

“Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.

“I believe the very vast majority of Nigerians share this view.

“Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood.

“This is not to deny that there are legitimate concerns. Every group has a grievance. But the beauty and attraction of a federation is that it allows different groups to air their grievances and work out a mode of co-existence.”

“The National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse.

“The national consensus is that, it is better to live together than to live apart.”

Buhari in the speech recalls his encounter with the leader of the failed Biafra Republic, the late Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in 2003: “After I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analysed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united.”

Buhari goes on: “I am charging the security agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax.

“Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety.

“Therefore we are going to reinforce and reinvigorate the fight not only against;

“Elements of Boko Haram which are attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets

“Kidnappings, farmers versus herdsmen clashes, in addition to ethnic violence fuelled by political mischief makers. We shall tackle them all.

“Finally, dear Nigerians, our collective interest now is to eschew petty differences and come together to face common challenges of; economic security, political evolution and integration as well as lasting peace among all Nigerians.

“I remain resolutely committed to ensuring that these goals are achieved and maintained. I am so glad to be home.”

The President thanks Nigerians for the support and prayers, thus:

“I am very grateful to God and to all Nigerians for their prayers. I am pleased to be back on home soil among my brothers and sisters.

“In the course of my stay in the United Kingdom, I have been kept in daily touch with events at home. Nigerians are robust and lively in discussing their affairs, but I was distressed to notice that some of the comments, especially in the social media have crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation. This is a step too far.”

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