“Tinubu Praises Finland for Detaining Simon Ekpa, Stresses Unity and Stability”
President Bola Tinubu has publicly commended the Finnish government for the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa, a key figure allegedly linked to a faction of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), which has been contributing to insecurity in Nigeria’s South-East region. Tinubu emphasized that his administration would not tolerate actions or statements that threaten the nation’s unity.
The President made these remarks on Friday during a meeting at the State House, where he received the Letter of Credence from the newly appointed Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sanna Selin. Ekpa, who has been charged with terrorism in Finland, was singled out for his involvement in instigating unrest and division. Tinubu praised Finland’s prompt action, noting that it played a crucial role in protecting Nigeria’s integrity and preventing further instability.
“I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa,” President Tinubu told the Finnish ambassador. “Nigeria is indivisible. We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism.”
Emphasizing the importance of national unity, Tinubu added, “I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness. We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development. Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward.”
In addition to discussing Ekpa’s case, the President reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law, which he described as essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic values. “The rule of law safeguards our democratic credentials, morals, and values. We must respect the rule of law,” Tinubu declared.
The President also noted that the Finnish Ambassador’s priorities, including ICT, agriculture, and education, align closely with Nigeria’s development goals. He thanked Finland for its humanitarian support in Nigeria’s North-East and expressed confidence that the two nations could collaborate to drive mutual growth and prosperity.
Tinubu’s meeting with the Finnish Ambassador was part of a broader diplomatic engagement, as he also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr. Gautier Mignot, and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Algeria, Hocine Mezoued.
With Nigeria currently undergoing important reforms aimed at stimulating economic growth, President Tinubu’s message was clear: his administration stands firm against divisive forces and is focused on national progress through unity, stability, and cooperation.
