National leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has rejected calls for the separation of Nigeria.

He spoke at a special Ramadan prayer attended by Chief Bisi Akande, members of Lagos Governor’s Advisory Council, State cabinet members, Oba of Lagos, Alayeluwa Rilwan Akiolu, and members of the business community, led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, among others in Lagos on Sunday.

Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, led the clerics to the event held at the State House, Marina.

Tinibu told those clamouring for secession to shun the idea, warning against war witnessed in countries like Sudan and Iraq.

He said, “For those clamouring for war, God will not allow Nigeria to experience war. If we say Nigeria should separate, people should remember what war caused in Sudan and Iraq. Such war does not end on time. We are yet to recover from the civil war.

“We are better together. I have nowhere I am going. Whoever has experienced war in the past will not pray for such. Nigeria will not separate, it’s not acceptable to us. Our prayers is for prosperity and more wealth for the country.”

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Tinubu expressed optimism that the nation would survive its problems.

He flayed the spate of kidnapping, saying the criminals were using the crime to embarrass Islam, a religion, he said, abhours killing and abduction of people against their will.

Chief Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Ahmad, in his lecture, said the nation was in a trying period, stressing that the magnitude of the challenges required sincere actions by leaders and citizens to salvage the country from crisis.

Popular Islamic preacher, Sheikh Muyideen Bello, said the nation would only survive its current tribulations if political leaders and citizens collectively seek repentance for their misdeeds, injustice and failed promises.