Arewa Youths Suspend Quit Notice to Igbos, Demands for Biafra Referendum
Fri Aug 25, 2017 09:17:am National
3.1K By Abdulkerimu Oare
- Arewa youths suspend Quit Notice to igbos, gives conditions.
- Demands for Nnamdi kanu to be arrested and Prosecuted.
- Calls for a Biafra Referendum in accordance with United Nations Statutes.
Members of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) have suspended the "Quit Notice" given to Igbos living in the North.
Recall that this group had previously demanded that people from South Eastern Nigeria relocate from the North before October 1st. This Quit notice declaration was tagged the Kaduna Declaration and had continued to mount up tension across the country.
After numerous meetings and engagements with senior political officers, the group has now decided to suspend the quit notice.
In a meeting held on Thursday, the group said "As a consequence of these vigorous engagements and as a cultured people with a tradition of respect for our national values, leaders and elders, we are today pleased to announce the immediate suspension of the relocation clause otherwise referred to as the quit notice from Kaduna Declaration.
"This suspension, we are proud to say, is also out of respect for, and in reaffirmation of our allegiance to one, united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, and in our unshaken confidence in the political will and sincere commitment of our dear President Muhammadu Buhari to take a holistic look at all the concerns we raised.
"We are also pleased to announce that the Kaduna Declaration has achieved most of its major objectives, chief among which include forcing the hitherto deliberately neglected dangerous Biafran issue to the front burner of the nation's discussion agenda."
The Arewa youths however gave conditions upon whih the suspension stands.
They called for Law Enforcement Agencies to carry out a seasrch on all suspected IPOB sympathisers in the North who may be amassing weapons.
The conditions also include the arrest and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu and also hold a referendum in accordance with UN statutes.
They said "Failure to do that will only douse this tension temporarily while they regroup to prepare for the war they have always craved and openly called for. We are opposed to war with any part of this country and we are opposed to any situation that will lead to war.
"One of the key reasons Biafra should be allowed to hold a referendum is because the principle of self-determination has since the World War II became a part of the United Nations Charter, which states in Article 1 (2) that one of the purposes of the UN is to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of people."
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State who was present to observe the group suspend the quit notice expressed his appreciation and encouraged them saying that the era of militancy was over.
The Governor said "Let the conversation open. We want to prevent a situation where people take advantage of the quit notice to kill and maim and loot the properties of innocent Nigerians living in the north.
"In this country, issues of religion and ethnicity are catalysts for violence. We need to always explore a political and peaceable solution to our problems."
- Demands for Nnamdi kanu to be arrested and Prosecuted.
- Calls for a Biafra Referendum in accordance with United Nations Statutes.
Members of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) have suspended the "Quit Notice" given to Igbos living in the North.
Recall that this group had previously demanded that people from South Eastern Nigeria relocate from the North before October 1st. This Quit notice declaration was tagged the Kaduna Declaration and had continued to mount up tension across the country.
After numerous meetings and engagements with senior political officers, the group has now decided to suspend the quit notice.
In a meeting held on Thursday, the group said "As a consequence of these vigorous engagements and as a cultured people with a tradition of respect for our national values, leaders and elders, we are today pleased to announce the immediate suspension of the relocation clause otherwise referred to as the quit notice from Kaduna Declaration.
"This suspension, we are proud to say, is also out of respect for, and in reaffirmation of our allegiance to one, united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, and in our unshaken confidence in the political will and sincere commitment of our dear President Muhammadu Buhari to take a holistic look at all the concerns we raised.
"We are also pleased to announce that the Kaduna Declaration has achieved most of its major objectives, chief among which include forcing the hitherto deliberately neglected dangerous Biafran issue to the front burner of the nation's discussion agenda."
The Arewa youths however gave conditions upon whih the suspension stands.
They called for Law Enforcement Agencies to carry out a seasrch on all suspected IPOB sympathisers in the North who may be amassing weapons.
The conditions also include the arrest and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu and also hold a referendum in accordance with UN statutes.
They said "Failure to do that will only douse this tension temporarily while they regroup to prepare for the war they have always craved and openly called for. We are opposed to war with any part of this country and we are opposed to any situation that will lead to war.
"One of the key reasons Biafra should be allowed to hold a referendum is because the principle of self-determination has since the World War II became a part of the United Nations Charter, which states in Article 1 (2) that one of the purposes of the UN is to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of people."
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State who was present to observe the group suspend the quit notice expressed his appreciation and encouraged them saying that the era of militancy was over.
The Governor said "Let the conversation open. We want to prevent a situation where people take advantage of the quit notice to kill and maim and loot the properties of innocent Nigerians living in the north.
"In this country, issues of religion and ethnicity are catalysts for violence. We need to always explore a political and peaceable solution to our problems."
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