A group, Unified Nigerian Youth Forum (UNYF) has condemned the position of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on the prescription of IPOB as a terrorist group.
The Forum urged Saraki should not play his usual politics with the security of ordinary citizens, adding that “we are not unaware that the number three citizen is a controversial leader like Femi Fani Kayode, Edwin Clark, Dr. Gunaidu Mohammed and the Executive Governor of Ekiti state.”
A statement by the group’s President, Abdulsalam Muhammad Kazeem, read in part: “We salute the courage of the federal government and the Nigerian Army for their brave and timely decision that has save us another pre-planned national crisis.
“Though the position of the South Eastern Governors (banning the activities of the IPOB in the region) came very late, and yet the leadership of Nigerian Youth Forum still appreciates their efforts in promoting a united Nigeria.
“We appreciate the northerners, particularly the media practitioners, religious leaders, political leaders, various youth leaders and other progressive-minded Nigerians who use all means at their disposal to promote the unity of Nigeria in the last one week.
“We equally say a very big thank you to Northern Governors Forum under the leadership of Alh. Kassim Shettima, the Executive Governor of Borno state and other Northern Governors who presently are on peace/unity mission in the south eastern part of the country, which clearly shows that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable and cannot be threatened by a man who is still living with his parents under the same roof; we advise Nnamdi Kanu to book a date with history on the Nigerian Civil War.”
The Forum called on President Muhammadu Buhari to, “as matter of urgency, do away with the advice of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo on the issue of IPOB war leader,” adding: “History has it that the same Obasanjo never at any point dialogued with OPC, or did he discuss with the people of Odi or Zaki Biam before sending troops there?
“We are appeal to all Nigerian youth to be calm and law-abiding at all times; they should have it clear at the back of their mind that some of our elite are conflict entrepreneurs and as such we should expect their negative views on the declaration of IPOB as terrorist group in Nigeria.”
