Igbo free to leave… northern elders back Arewa youth
The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) on Friday expressed support to the call by the Coalition of Northern Youth Groups for Igbo to leave the region within three months.
The group made its position known despite widespread condemnation that followed the ultimatum earlier handed by the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum.
The forum expressed disappointment with the northern governors’ forum for disowning the youth groups.
Ango Abdullahi, spokesman of NEF, told journalists in Zaria on Friday that it was hypocritical for the Igbo to continue to live in other parts of the country while agitating for Nigeria’s break up.
“I am disappointed in the decision taken by northern governors’ forum disowning and condemning the agitation by this young agile and progressive youth groups,” he said.
“Let me ask these northern governors, who are they representing? Are they representing spirits, ghost 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 indication their leaders including governors are behind them.”
According to him, whoever feels Nigeria “is not conducive for him” let him quit, adding that what the northern youth groups did was not a sin.”
He lamented that none of the northern governors reacted to the persistent call for the actualisation of Biafra and other agitations.
Abdullahi 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 breakup of Nigeria but his people were behind him, therefore, I am behind the youths,” he said.
“This is because the northern youths are pushed to the wall, we have been calming them down in any event similar to this,”
Speaking specifically on the Igbo, Abdullahi said the people from the south were always pretending that people from the north were cheating them.
“These people always pretend that the north is cheating them, not minding the fact that southern Nigeria was developed by resources from the north,” he said.
“Please, look for a book written by Adamu FiKa, the Waziri of FiKa on Nigeria’s budget before and after independence.
“Each year, up to the time Nigeria gained its independence, none of the two regions was able to provide for itself.
“I mean none of the western and eastern regions had the money to effectively run the affairs of its region until they get financial support from the Northern region.”
He recalled that the tradition had remained during the colonial masters and nothing changed after they left the country.
Abdullahi said it was the same money from the north that was used to construct Nigerian Railways, refineries and other facilities.
“First oil exploration was conducted using money from groundnut pyramid, cotton, hide and skin among other cash crops from northern Nigeria,” he said.
“However, these people tend to forget all these goodies provided by the North toward ensuring the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria.
“They always look down on us, feeling that Northerners are parasites in this country.”
blaming each other will not solve this problems. The truth is that, every one knows that this country is not united. I am from Niger delta. From my little experience, the northerners are more hardworking than my people. We should not think if this country divides, the northerners will die of hunger. How many of our people elected, or appointed into political office were able to deliver the dividends of democracy to their people? They all represents their families. Even if we divides, the sofering will still continue. The best solution to this is for all the youths in Nigeria to come together and call for a (r
evolution)to wipe out all corrupt politicians irrespective of where they come from.
This is the best comment I’ve read in years. I wish all Nigerians would reason in this direction.
Your comment..it a lie oil palm and agric internally generated in the eastern Nigeria was used to develop the north,the rest of Nigeria and export to Europe and America,Asia etc.you northerners keep malice and are wicked to the Igbo’s.we have developed the north over the years with over £4OB investments Without igbos the rest of the north will find it difficult and its good so that we can practice true federalism and ultimately get independent as a nation,Donald Trump said it that what stop ethnic wars, civil wars,he tread,political killings is only when people of similar ethnicity are allowed to rule themselves so be it the north has divided this nation we call on the UN to come in because this is a case human Right to settle in court for a peaceful transition…Ok
This is why we said goodbye pls!
I AGREE WITH YOU BRO. THAT IS THE BEST THING TO DO
The statement credited to Ango is a confirmation of the fact that the voice of the youth is Esua and the body is Jacob. The arrogance and impunity the Northerners assume in matters concerning the country is to say least unbecoming.
But make no mistake about it, 2017 is not the 1967 and the earlier this get into their head the better for all of us.
The British conspiracy that encouraged them to commit genocide against the Igbo is not possible this time around.
They should bear in mind that northerners are not police man of the nation, they can speak as it concerns Arewa nation and not Nigerian nation.
At last someone is talking sense, we are all interdependent and need the collective will of each and every one for us to survive as a Nation. Let’s have peace please.
The youths and their elders were thinking that d agitation for a sovereign state is unrealistic. Why are we arguing over resources and development? Let the northern elders sit down and think before making decisions.
We cannot continue to insult one another and expect peace to reign. Let’s make meaningful contributions to national issues that would unite us. Nigeria has suffered much as a result of disunity. Let’s give unity a chance and what would come out of it.
It is wrong for Ango Abdulahi being an elder states man to support divisive agents; he should rather condenm those supporting Nnamdi Kanu than following their example. Ango Abdullahi should join hands with the Northern Governors and elders like the emir of Katsina to build a united Nigeria.