Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade says foreign countries are funding secessionists in Africa in order to be in the gun business.
He was fielding questions from State House reporters yesterday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ayade, who recently defected from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, urged all Nigerians to come together to address the current security challenges in the country.
He said: “The country is snowballing into civil strife. We need to come together and support Mr. President to overcome the insurgency which is characterized by external militias who are paid for the purpose.
“I know very clearly that they have a basic interest in our natural resources, especially our tantalite and cobalt-related derivatives, as well as diamond and gold. As you know, what this international community does for Africa, once they see large deposits of natural resources, they’ll be glad to see such a country go to war.
“On one side, they’re funding enemies of the state; on the other hand, they’re funding secessionists so that they can be in the business of guns.”