ACF condemns Arewa youths over threat on Igbo

From: Sola Ojo, Kaduna

Foremost Northern socio-cultural voice, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has also condemned the statement credited to some of its youths asking the Igbos to vcate the North.

In a statement issued in Kaduna on Wednesday by National Publicity Secretary of ACF Muhammad Ibrahim Biu shortly after an emergency meeting, the body cautioned youths to shun all forms of hate utterances capable of truncating the peace of the country.

The statement read, “the attention of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has been drawn to the press statement issued by a Coalition of Northern Youth groups calling on Igbos currently residing in the Northern part of Nigeria to relocate to the East within three (3) months, while Northerners in the East should do likewise.

“This position of the groups was as a result of the persistent agitations of some members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for the actualisation  of the Republic of Biafra, which have continued to threaten the unity, peace and corporate existence of Nigeria.

“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”.