From: Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Sen. Walid Jibrin, has said that a true and nationalistic Northerners will not ask Igbo to quit the North.
Some northern youths under the auspices, had few months ago, given the Igbo living in the North to leave the region by October 1 following agitation for Biafran Republic by Igbo group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
However, in a message to Nigerians which he made available to newsmen, on Tuesday, Sen. Jibrin, who is the Sarkin Fulani Nasarawa, recalled the periods of great national and regional leaders like Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa, Akintola, Awolowo and Azikiwe when Nigerians mixed freely without any form of hatred against another.
He called on youths in the country to emulate these past leaders to ensure peaceful co-existence.
He said, “A true Northerner does not at all support call for Igbo to leave the north considering that there is no village or community in the north where Igbo does not live.
“Many concern northerners have a movement called The protection of the Igbo in the North under my chairmanship, we must be allowed to live freely in any part of Nigeria.
“During the time of Sardauna of Sokoto and Sir Akintola northern students were transferred from north to western Region and vis versa.
” I happened to attend Okitipupa national college in Ode-Aye Onda state where we made lasting friends among the Yorubas we must emulate Sardauna, Akintola, Awolowo, Azikiwe Tafawa Balewa.
“I want to advise all against hate speeches instead of finding ways and means for unity and peace and allow us have permanent places where ever in Nigeria.
“To continue the call for the Igbo to the North is enough joke which must stop immediately.
“Another call from militants of south that northerners and the Yoruba to leave must stop .
“The recent call by Benue youth that the Fulani herdsmen leaving in Benue must leave should stop because recently the Fulani elders concern group have met and a delegation under my chairmanship to visit all parts to reconcile between Fulani herdsmen and farmers and various communities. We have started with Taraba”.