A forum of young writers from Northern Nigeria, Arewa Agenda, has commended some Igbo leaders for exposing the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its “sinister agenda” against the country.
Recall that in the wake of the #EndSARS protests, the IPOB faction leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had directed members of the outlawed group to kill soldiers, policemen and destroy Yoruba assets in Lagos
Issuing a statement on Thursday, the convener of the group, Mohammad Lawal, commended the founder of the Movement for Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Ralph Uwazuruike and the President General of Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo, for dissociating their groups from the IPOB.
According to Mr Lawal, the commendation became necessary following a series of unrest stirred across the globe, particularly the recent developments over EndSARS protests.
The statement said: “Arewa Agenda as a body that stands united with partners in progress towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development therefore commends the founder of the Movement for Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike and the President General of Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo, for dissociating their groups from the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
“This act has exposed the IPOB as a sinister group with an agenda for National chaos and disability which is negatively affecting everybody, not only the Igbos that are spread across the nation and hindering the operations of genuine groups fighting for equity, fairness and justice in the federation.
“We, on this front of young Arewa Writers, also commend the intervention of Afenifere, the Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group who, through its national leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, disowned the 48 hours ultimatum given to some Nigeria nationals especially the Igbos to quit Yorubaland.
“The counter-threat by Mujaheed Asari Dokubo of the Niger Delta against Nnamdi Kanu’s incitement also dramatically reassures Muslims and Non-Indigene in the South-East and South-South of their safety and security.
“It is also worthy of note the timely apology tendered by the Igbo leader in Kano, Igwe Dr Boniface Igbekwe over unruly behaviours of misguided Igbo youths in Sabon Gari area of the populous state which calmed the frayed nerves.”
The group also lamented that besides the COVID-19 Pandemic that unsettled the world this year, protest against Police brutality was an issue that sparked crises in strategic countries of the world.
This, it noted with dismay, threatened the breakdown of law and order in some cases.
The statement also recalled the death of George Floyd which triggered a wave of protests across the United States, world power and symbolic country on the American continent in June.
It said: “Britain, a strategic nation and heartbeat of the European continent followed suit in protesting against increased use of stop and search during the COVID-19 lockdown in areas with large black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) populations, as well as in showing solidarity with demonstrators in the US.
“A total of 27 police officers were hurt during protests in London, the Met Police later revealed.
Citing Nigeria as a global symbol of Africa’s reference point, the group recalled the #EndSARS wave that swept the country in October.
The group lamented that what started out as a peaceful demonstration by thousands of youths, degenerated into chaos after the protests were hijacked by hoodlums.
It said: “In no time, the hijacked protest became characterized by inter-ethnic actions and incitements which culminated into direct attacks on our Nation’s Security Architecture.
“This resulted in irrational casualties that have caused reductions to our Nation’s security population, a size that is even grossly inadequate for the general population in the first place.”
The group also commended its Northern traditional leaders, clerics as well as security services for their efforts in dousing the tension.
It also reiterated their commitment to the continued call for peaceful coexistence and national development.
It also called on governments across all levels to prioritize a need based approach towards addressing the yearnings of fellow Nigerians.
In the same vein, it also called on Nigerian youths to embrace diversity as strength in exploiting the potentials that would propel the nation’s greatness.
