Leading pan-Northern group, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has reacted to the ultimatum by a coalition of youth groups in the north that Igbos should leave the North.
A Coalition of Northern groups under the aegis of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, had on Tuesday issued a three-month ultimatum to all Igbos in the 19 northern states to relocate from the region.
The groups, which issued the warning in response to the demand by some Igbos for actualisation of Biafra, threatened to forcefully evict the Igbos if they failed to leave the north by October 1.
“With the effective date of this declaration, which is today, Tuesday, June 6, 2017, all Igbo currently residing in any part of northern Nigeria are, hereby, served notice to relocate within three months and all northerners residing in the South-East are advised likewise,” the AYCF officials led by the group’s National President, Yerima Shettima, said at a press conference in Kaduna.
“All northern civil societies and pressure groups are, by this declaration, mandated to mobilize for sustained, coordinated campaigns at their respective state Government Houses, state Houses of Assembly, local government council secretariats and traditional palaces.”
But ACF spokesperson, Muhammad Biu, disowned the coalition, saying Nigeria’s laws guaranteed her citizens free movement to any part of the country. It warned the youths against any act or utterances that could threaten the corporate existence of the country.
“ACF wishes to draw the attention of all concerned, to note, that our democratic system of government which is anchored on law guarantees free movement of all Nigerians to any part of the country and to also pursue their legitimate livelihood devoid of any hindrance or molestation by any group or individuals.
“Furthermore, the system allows settlement of all grievances through our elected representatives in both the National and States Assemblies and the Law courts. Any act to the contrary, is therefore, a breach of law and order that are not helpful.
“ACF appreciates the frustrations of the Northern Youth Groups with the activities of MASSOB and IPOB members, but would not encourage any act that is not in conformity with the law by any group or individuals which will do no one any good.
”ACF therefore, appeals for caution over unguarded utterances or statements that are capable of jeopardizing the unity, peace and corporate existence of Nigeria”, he said.
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