PDP BoT chairman asks northern elders to rise and condemn youth seeking to evict Igbo

Walid Jibrin, chairman, board of trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has charged elders in the north to condemn the attempt by some Arewa groups to evict the Igbo from the region.

On Tuesday, some youth groups gave the Igbo a three-month ultimatum to leave the northern region.

Responding, the Ohaneze Youth Council said it would not leave the north after investing heavily in “developing the region”.

It also the Igbo in the north to be prepared to defend themselves from possible attacks.

But in a statement on Wednesday, Jibrin said those who witnessed the Biafran civil war will not pray for another crisis in the country.

He described people of Igbo extraction as lovers of peace, reminding those who want them out that northerners were also residing in different parts of the south.

“There is no any village, ward or town where you will not find the Igbo leaving peacefully with the people,” he said.

“Igbo and the south-south people have always remained the allies of the north since independence. Any action that will lead Nigeria to civil war should never be entertained, especially now that Nigeria needs unity from everyone.

“The agitation for Biafra by some Igbo is not enough to abandon all Igbo.

“I have noted with admiration, the action of some leaders including the south-east governors who are seriously against the creation of Biafra and will prefer Nigeria to remain an entity and a united country.

“Our past experiences of Biafran war will never allow any northern or Igbo man to pray for the bad experiences of the Biafran war.

“I want to remind the group calling for Igbo to leave the north that there are equally many northerners living comfortably in the south-east, who have well-established businesses in Igbo land.

“Our northern traditional rulers and elders should quickly come out to condemn the statement by the group by calling them to order and call for peace.”

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has also cautioned youth groups to be cautious of inciting statements.

In a statement on Wednesday, Muhammad Biu, spokesman of ACF, said though the forum understood the frustration of the youth groups with the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), it would not back any action that is not in line with the law.

“[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,” the statement read.

“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 is not helpful.”