Politics
Northern Elders back youths, say Igbo must go
The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has expressed total support for the quit notice order handed to Ndigbo living in the region by a coalition of northern youth groups.
NEF also condemned the Northern Governors’ Forum opposition to the position of the youths and questioned if they governors are representing ‘spirits’ and not the youths and people of the North.
The position of the elders was made known to newsmen by Professor Ango Abdullahi, NEF spokesperson in Zaria on Friday, insisting that since Igbo want to quit Nigeria they should not be allowed to continue residing in the country.
He said, “I am disappointed in the decision taken by Northern Governors’ Forum disowning and condemning the agitation by this young, agile and progressive youth groups.
“Let me ask these Northern governors, who are they representing, are they representing spirits, ghosts or people of the North?
“Recently, people from eastern part of this country, specifically Igbo, were busy calling for the Sovereign State of Biafra and from all indications, their leaders — including governors — are behind them. Whoever feels Nigeria is not conducive for him, let him quit.”
Abdullahi, who argued that northern youths did no wrong in their quit order to Igbo people in the region, wondered why governors of the region never reacted to the persistent call for the actualisation of Biafra and other agitations.
He said, “When Nnamdi Kanu was released on bail recently, over 100 vehicles escorted him to his residence, including big personalities from the South – west and South – east.
“This is somebody who has been agitating for the break – up of Nigeria; but his people were behind him. Therefore, I am behind the (Northern) youths.
“This is because the northern youths are pushed to the wall. We have been calming them down in any event similar to this”, he stated.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumin Kabir Usman, on Friday said, “Here in Katsina, I am ready to sacrifice my last drop of blood to ensure peace and protect all Nigerians residing in the state.”
The emir who made the comment at his palace in Katsina on Friday while addressing leaders of Igbo community and other Nigerians residing in Katsina State, added that Nigeria will continue to remain one in spite of its multi – ethnic diversity and recent calls for breakup.
RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears
Click here to download the Ripples Nigeria App for latest updates
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
German Police bust alleged Nigerian scam dating ring
German authorities have arrested eleven individuals suspected of being members of a Nigerian mafia group involved in a large-scale dating...
INVESTIGATION: In Kwara, multimillion-naira milk processing plant is abandoned, converted to a chicken outlet
After the government spent millions of naira to establish a milk processing plant in Kwara State that would provided jobs...
SPECIAL REPORT: For Sokoto communities, promise of healthcare is akin to death sentence
In this story, ABDULRASHEED HAMMAD delves into the dire realities of Primary Health Care services in Sokoto State, shedding light...
ICYMI…SPECIAL REPORT: NNPCL hides behind PIA to frustrate disclosure, accountability
Nigeria’s major oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), in what appears to be a common practice of disregard...
INVESTIGATION: Multi-million naira Ekiti resort center remains uncompleted a decade after
The multimillion-naira project, expected to comprise recreational buildings, now consists of cassava farmland, a bush used for excretion, and a...
Abeni Adebisi
June 10, 2017 at 4:42 pm
I don’t blame them for supporting the norther youths, the northern elders are representing the interest of the youths and they have to protect their interest. I’m just surprised they are all thinking the same way, the elders and youths have no brain to think rightly.
Animashaun Ayodeji
June 10, 2017 at 4:46 pm
Why won’t they think the same way? When the colonial masters ask them to embrace education, they refused, now their ignorance is preying on them. They are indirectly supporting the exit those agitating for Biafra, it’s sad the northerners lack wisdom.
Anita Kingsley
June 10, 2017 at 4:50 pm
Shame on the elders for supporting the youths! Definitely the youths spoke the elders’ minds, the elders who are supposed to direct the paths of the youths so as not to go astray are the once going astray with the youths. Big shame on them all.
JOHNSON PETER
June 10, 2017 at 9:09 pm
Illiteracy is a chronic illness, northerners are ill. God will heal them.
We are not threatened because we are ready to leave there desert lands
yanju omotodun
June 11, 2017 at 4:44 am
Cutting the head is not the solution to headache. Let’s call for peace to reign and stop being paranoid.
Balarabe musa
June 11, 2017 at 4:54 am
How many ibos are educated and sound? You are speaking jibberish . If it is by education, you people should have been the ones ruling the country but it’s not by that. We remain prudent and honest which stabilises us in ruling the country.
seyi jelili
June 11, 2017 at 5:08 am
At this junction, a referendum should be held to determine the fate of Biafrans and probably any fearful tribes who chose to secede too. Let’s part in peace and not in pieces in a dialogue way