Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has said that the numerous secessionist threats, hate speeches and inter-ethnic discontent currently being experienced has made the country more divided than it has ever been.

Abubakar made the observation at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Federal Government College, Okigwe, Imo State and noted that all the ethic groups of the country needed one another to achieve the desired goals.

Represented at the occasion by his Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, Abubakar emphasized the need for unity and inter-dependence among the different ethnic groups rather than a restructuring of the country.

He said: “This celebration is coming at a critical time in our country’s history. All of you must be aware of the recent agitations from different parts of the country, with some groups threatening violence and in some cases secession.

“These agitations are the results of a number of factors which I will not bother going into at this time, although since you are all enlightened men and women, I have no doubt that you are well and fully aware of what they are.

“As a result of these various forces, the Nigeria of today appears more divided than it has ever been before. Our country is not at war in the sense of guns and bombs, but the level of inter – ethnic discontent, hatred and hate speech is at an all-time high.

Abubakar, who is also the grand patron of the institution further charged the students to take up the responsibility of restoring the lost glory of the country by being good ambassadors and proponents of a united Nigeria.