ACF to South-east govs: Call IPOB to order

Arewa Consultative Forum has condemned the sit-at-home-day planned for May 30th by the Indigenous People of Biafra, while urging Southeast governors to call IPOB to order to avoid breakdown of law and order. Speaking through its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, the ACF said the sit-at-home-day was capable of destroying the national cohesion among Nigerians, “negating national unity, while causing chaos and violence, thus, it should be shelved to avoid a repeat of breakdown in peace and order witnessed during previous event. “ He said: “The attention of Arewa Consultative Forum has been drawn to a press statement by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which was proscribed by the federal government last year, again declaring May 30, this year, as a sitat-home day in honour of not only a Biafra state but also for those alleged to have been killed by herdsmen in 20 states of Nigeria. “Such press statement is a negation of our national unity comprising a people who having ended the unfortunate three years of civil war, 48 years ago with “no victor no vanquish”, have been working hard through the Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction introduced by General Yakubu Gowon in order to overcome what divide us. Continuing, he said: “Our faith in one indivisible Nigeria despite our moments of national instability and challenges, have continued to be reaffi rmed by individuals and groups at diff erent fora. We have also demonstrated it in words and deeds in our political sojourn. We cannot therefore jettison our collective sacrifice for primordial sentiments that would do no one any good.” “We, therefore, cannot aff ord a repeat of such incidence. Given the benefit of hindsight, ACF therefore calls on the South East Governors to prevail on their citizens to ignore such acts that seek to affect our sense of oneness and could also affect the economy and political stability of not only the South-east, but of Nigeria as a whole. “ACF further urges members of IPOB to listen to the wise counsel of their elders, states chief executives and elected political representatives at both the National and State Assemblies and opt for due democratic process. Our present democratic structure provides suffi cient avenue for people to give voice to their aspirations and vent their concerns.”

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