Northern governors caution Biafra agitators, supporters of restructuring
- Northern governors has listed the agitation for restructuring, creation of a Biafran state and the Fulani herdsmen’s attacks on communities as vices threatening the unity of Nigeria
- The governors say the hate speeches being propagated by groups such as IPOB and MASSOB are inimical to the unity of Nigeria
- The northern leaders urge southern leaders to condemn the Biafra agitation
Governors from the northern region of Nigeria have cautioned pro-Biafra activists and those calling for restructuring to refrain from conducts that could risk the unity of Nigeria.
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The governors gave the caution on Thursday, July 27, at a joint meeting of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) and traditional rulers at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna state, Guardian reports.
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state, who doubles as the chairman of the NGF, described agitation for restructuring, creation of a Biafran state and the Fulani herdsmen’s attacks on communities as vices threatening the unity of Nigeria.
Shettima, who was represented by the governor of Katsina state, Aminu Masari, at the two-day meeting which began on Thursday, July 27, said the hate speeches being propagated by groups such as IPOB and MASSOB are inimical to the unity of Nigeria.
He said: “Agreed that being citizens of a democratic country, Nigerians are entitled to exercising their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and association, and the clamour for the restructuring of the country falls within the purview of these freedoms. But the exercise of such rights outside the confines of responsibility is not acceptable.
“The resort to shenanigans, hate speech, and sometimes incitement to violence by organisations such as IPOB and MASSOB must be unconditionally condemned as they are inimical to national unity, stability, peaceful coexistence and national security.
“These elements must be encouraged to pursue their agitations within processes enshrined in our constitution and with the full and willing participation of all parts of our nation.”
Legit.ng learnt that the governor called on the southern leaders to condemn the Biafra agitation the way northern leaders condemned the quit notice issued by some northern youths to Igbos residing in the north to leave by October 1.
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The northern governors also warned that the dangers posed by the agitating for restructuring and a Biafran state could escalate into tendencies that led to destabilization of other countries.
“We must constantly be aware of the terrain and times. We have a country that has gone through a civil war, military coups and counter-coups, some of them bloody, prolonged military dictatorships, several false starts as a democracy, insurgency and banditry and a huge youth population whose huge expectations are far from being met. Our peculiar circumstances have made it difficult to deliver and what we need is trust and hope to see us through the difficult times. We shall overcome, but we need all the survival techniques our collective talent can muster," the forum stated.
Meanwhile, Pro-Biafra group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has responded to a statement credited to the Obi of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Achebe, that “IPOB has no right to stop elections in Anambra state”.
According to reports, IPOB declared that traditional title holders cannot set the agenda for the group, even though they are entitled to their own opinions.
Legit.ng notes that IPOB’s response was contained in a statement signed by the group’s media and publicity secretary Emma Powerful.
In the video below, Legit.ng asked some Nigerians if the Biafra Republic can be achieved in the nearest future. Check out what they had to say.
Source: Legit.ng
