Quit notice: Igbo, Arewa leaders’ meeting ends in deadlock

The committee set up to review the quit notice given to Igbo people in the north met on Monday with no outcome of their deliberations yet.

Leaders of the northern coalition groups and representatives of the Igbo resident in the north set up the committee.

According to a statement issued at the end of the meeting, the committee is extending its deliberations to 10 more days “to make way for wider consultations.”

The committee, made up of five northern and south-eastern representatives each, had been set up last week Friday to issue a roadmap towards addressing the quit notice.

Although it was given 72 hours to produce an acceptable position on the quit notice, it said on Monday that there was need for more time to enable it do a thorough job.

“In reference to the peace meeting held on the 4th August, 2017 by leaders of the coalition of northern groups and Igbo leaders in the 19 northern states and the FCT which resulted in the formation of a 10-man committee to find a solution to the quit notice issued, the committee sat and deliberated extensively and agreed that there is need for further consultations from both sides,” the statement read.

“Accordingly, the meeting adjourned to reconvene in the next ten days where a final resolution on issues will be achieved.”

Shettima Yerima, leader of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, had said the quit notice was triggered by the continued agitation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

He also blamed the Igbo leaders for “keeping mute” since the agitation started and accused Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, of abusing northern elders.