IPOB sit-at-home: Arewa CF warns against infringement on others’ rights

Foremost Northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), on Monday, frowned at press statement by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) declaring May 30 as a sit-at-home day in honour of not only for a Biafra state, but also for those alleged to have been killed by herdsmen in 20 states of Nigeria.

National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, in a statement issued in Kaduna, described the statement earlier issued by the Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, as ‘destructive of national cohesion’.

Biu further described the development as “a negation of our national unity comprising a people who having ended the unfortunate three (3) years of civil war, 48 years ago with “no Victor no Vanquish”, and have been working hard through the 3Rs of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction introduced by General Yakubu Gowon in order to overcome what divide us.

“Our faith in one indivisible Nigeria despite our moments of national instability and challenges, have continued to be reaffirmed by individuals and groups at different 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.

“The Nigerian components, like all developing nations, have challenges which can be overcome through collective hard work and due democratic process. Intimidation and threats are not viable means that give voice to people’s aspiration as it is unnecessary and unhelpful.

“The sit-at-home order of last year by IPOB did not only infringe on the liberty and rights of innocent and law abiding citizens residing in the South-East zone of Nigeria, it was also hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed terror on “non-indigenes”.

 “We therefore cannot afford 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 sufficient avenue for people to give voice to their aspirations and vent their concerns”, ACF scribe added.