NORTHERN ELDERS TO IPOB: You can’t stampede us

Want illegal arms probed

Ohaneze takes peace message to Sokoto

 …Arewa, Igbo, Yoruba youths, others sign peace pact

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has declared that the ongoing agitations, especially the recent activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the call for restructuring, “cannot stampede the region into adopting an agenda and grand designs from other parts of Nigeria which will hurt its basic interests.”

They also asked the federal government to urgently investigate the recent reports of illegal importation of arms into the country, and prosecute those behind the development.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja on the state- of-the nation, leader of the Forum, Wantaregh Paul Unongo, said the region “recognises and acknowledges that there are demanding and legitimate questions on the current operations of the Nigerian state.”

The 82-year-old said: “What the North will not allow, however, is to be stampeded into adopting an agenda and grand designs from other parts of Nigeria which will hurt its basic interests.

“The North will demand a respectful and responsible approach to its participation in the search for answers to the many questions confronting our country. We will also insist that the constitution and our national institution, such as the National Assembly be accorded due and appropriate recognition in all initiatives and efforts towards addressing our challenges.”

On the proscription of the separatist IPOB, he said it was commendable “as a proactive measure to restore law and order in the zone.”

He called on the federal government to use all lawful means to maintain law and order not only in the south-east, but the entire country.

“Regarding the ongoing agitations in the country manifested in various shades and guises which have led to the recent unprovoked attacks and killings of northerners, the NEF recognises the duty of responsible governments anywhere in the world to protect and defend the lives and property of its citizens under all circumstances.

“It is in this connection that the NEF commends the readiness and willingness of the Federal Government of Nigeria to take all necessary measures that are permitted under the law and by the constitution of the land to check all these existential threats to Nigeria. To protect the lives of all law-abiding citizens of Nigeria and to bringing to book any and all groups that threaten national security is a sacred duty of government.

“The NEF also welcomes the presence of the Nigeria’s militaries and other security personnel, in all areas where the country where peace and security are several threatened.

“The President and Commander-in-Chief has the prerogative of deploying the Armed Forces for the purpose of keeping the peace. This prerogative should be respected by all well-meaning Nigerians.

“The NEF welcomes and commends the decision taken by the South-east governors to denounce the activities of the organisation known as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its proscription in their respective states.”

While calling on the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and relevant judicial authorities to continue to uphold the rule of law without fear or favour, the NEF  added that the forum on its part,  would remain vigilant over the security and welfare of northerners in the South-East, South-South and other parts of the country.

According him, the North has been victim of terrorism over the years and recognises the outline of an emerging terrorism in the South-east.

He added that northern leaders would not sit idle and watch the nation sink into chaos under new and additional threats.

Unongo said it was “in this regard that the forum strongly supported the federal government’s official proclamation and proscribing IPOB and its activities in the country.”

Ohanaeze visits Tambuwal

Meanwhile, the apex Igbo socio-cultural association, Ohaneze Ndi’gbo, has urged Nigerians to promote virtues of peace and tolerance among themselves in order to enhance the country’s unity.

The association’s President-General, John Nwodo, made the plea yesterday when he led members of the association on a visit to Governor Aminu Tambuwal in Sokoto.

The visit was in reciprocation of the peace mission by northern governors who, during the week, sent a delegation of five of their members to some states in the South-east and South-region.

Speaking in Sokoto, Mr. Nwodo stressed that Nigeria should never be allowed to experience another civil war.

He said although the nation is facing challenging times, the cohesion that existed over the years was worthy of being maintained.

“Yes, our country is facing a trying ‎period, but we should not, under any circumstance, allow the experience of another civil war to happen again. We should not allow personal emotions to undermine our national unity,” he stated.

Nwodo, who said the visit of his group was at‎ the instance of the South-east governors, assured of Ohanaeze’s cooperation for peaceful coexistence among the ethnic nationalities in the country.

He commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, who “in the ‎ongoing ethnic tensions, portrayed himself as a father by stating recently that whoever wants to attack the Igbos, should attack him, first.”

“In the same vein, ‎I came with the assurances of South-east governors that any Igbo who wants to kill a northerner, should first kill them,” Mr. Nwodo further said.

In his remarks, Governor Tambuwal said Nigeria is blessed with many ethnic groups and languages which he said should be used to promote unity, not division.

“The recent tension, especially in the South-east, was caused by young men who do not understand any other way of channelling their grievances other than the way they have chosen.

“I assure you that we are at peace with each other here in Sokoto and we shall continue to be,”  Tambuwal assured.

 Arewa, Igbo, Yoruba youth parley

 Meanwhile, the leaders of various youth groups and ethnic nationalities across Nigeria have all expressed their commitment to a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

In a communiqué at the end of the meeting held yesterday in Abuja, they sought a Nigeria where the rights of all citizens to live peacefully in any part of the country were guaranteed.

The communiqué was signed by N. A. Shariff of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Mazi Isiguzoro of the Ohaneze Youths Council Worldwide (OYC), Barr. Oweilaemi Peretubo of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Prince Dapo Adepoju of the Yoruba Youth Congress (YYC), Comrade Israel Uwejeyan of the Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC), Mike Msuaan of the Tiv Youth, Imoh Stephen Okoko of the Ibibio Youth Council (IYC), Yerima Shettima of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Ogbebor Emmanuel of the Urhobo Youth Forum (UYF), and Idoko Ben of the Olohi-wole Idoma National Advancement Project.

In the communiqué titled “Towards Social Cohesion and National Unity”, the groups said all Nigerians have the moral duty to be their brothers’ keepers in all parts and affairs anywhere in Nigeria.

They reiterated the reassurance by CNG to the Igbo and other ethnic groups resident in the northern part of Nigeria on safety of their lives and property, and the guarantee that they reserved the right to pursue their legitimate businesses and livelihood without fear.

The OYCW also reassured all Northerners and members of other ethnic nationalities resident in the East to go about doing their businesses without any fear as the safety of their lives and properties is guaranteed.

The groups also reiterated the need for all Nigerians to exercise restraint from communication or aberrations that could affect the collective resolve of the majority of Nigerians to maintain a united, peaceful and prosperous country.

“The groups are also dedicated to a cause that will bring Nigerians together to discuss a framework for the future in which every citizen will live in peace where his or her rights are protected, opportunities enhanced and future secured. This is to be convened in a Summit schedule for October, 2017,” the communiqué also read.

 

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