TheCable

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum has asked governors of the northern region to deal with any northerner who shows solidarity for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB had asked the south-west and middle belt regions to observe a one-month sit-at-home if Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, is not produced in court on October 21.

But in a statement by Yerima Shettima, its national president, the AYCF kicked against the call, saying it will not allow the north to get further destabilised by any violent strategy or be a party to “a politically motivated plan to undermine or worsen the nation’s current security challenges”.

AYCF also called on the northern governors not to allow IPOB to infiltrate the region and asked them to seal off the shops of northerners who sympathise with the secessionist group.

“The North has come a long way in understanding the use of constitutional and democratic means of channelling legitimate grievances, and cannot, therefore, be a party to any undemocratic move,” the group said.

“We hope they will continue with the sit-at-home for another 10 years and we wish them the very best of luck. We know the south-east is IPOB’s home but exporting their activities to the north will be faced with massive resistance from all lovers of peace in the north.

“We call on Northern Governors to step up action in order to ensure this outlawed terror gang called IPOB does not infiltrate the region. We also expect the governors to ensure that any northerner who shuts down his shop in solidarity with IPOB, that shop should be sealed forever.

“And for the avoidance of doubt, we will not fold our arms and watch the north get further destabilized by a violent strategy, whether in Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Niger or any state in northern Nigeria because our hands are already full with challenges of insecurity and we are praying fervently day and night to find lasting peace.”