Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, has declared that Nigeria’s unity is negotiable.

Kingibe, a presidential running mate to the late MKO Abiola in 1993, spoke on Saturday at The Sun Newspaper Awards for 2020 held in Lagos where he received Lifetime Award.

The former diplomat noted that the moment one of the parties feels he is no longer comfortable with the union; the union should be negotiated.

His words: “I was born in Nigeria. I was groomed in Nigeria. I believe in Nigeria. People of my generation believe in Nigeria… However, I think that a few of my colleagues believe that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. Of course, it is negotiable.

“Even the unity of a family is negotiable. Even the constitution of husband and wife is negotiable.

“The moment either parties feel this union is no longer bearable, that he or she will rather go his/her way. You help them to take the decision which suit them best: Are you sure where you are going? Are you sure of the consequence of where you are going? Do you really feel that the grass is greener on the other side?”

On those calling for break away, Kingibe said: “When we say we want to go away, I do not think they realise the going away. It is not that you carve out the piece of land, take it up and put it in other side of Ghana. The piece of land will be here. You will be here. Everybody will be here. And we all want to prosper. My appeal to everyone is, please, let us be respectful of one another. Let us not demonise one another. Let us respect the views of everybody.”