The Northern Elders’ Forum, (NEF), has advised the Federal Government to grant leeway for the Igbo ethnic group to secede from the country if that would restore peace and harmony.
Its Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr.Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja, appealed to the leaders of the South-East to protect their region rather than succumb to the acts of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN).
According to Baba-Ahmed, “Muted voices of millions of Igbo cannot be heard so that fellow Nigerians could understand the degree to which secession by the Igbo represents the popular choice.
‘It will not be the best choice for the Igbos or Nigerians to leave a country we have all toiled to build and a country we all have the responsibility to fix, but it will not help a country already burdened with failures on its knees to fight another war to keep the Igbo in Nigeria.
‘The Forum insists that attacks and killings of Northerners and Federal Government employees and destruction of National assets must stop. Those who have been involved in it must be arrested and prosecuted.
‘Until the Igbos decide whether they wants to secede or remain part of Nigeria, the law applies to them, and Federal and State governors who have the responsibility to enforce the law and protect citizens must enforce it.
‘We support calls for Northerners who are exposed to harassment and violence to consider relocating to the North. Unlike the postures and complacency of the leaders of the South-East, we advise that all Igbo and other ethnic groups from the South residing in the North should be accorded the usual hospitality and security”.
He appealed to the South-East leaders to protect their region rather than succumb to the acts of the IPOB and its ESN.
“The North is willing to discuss all matters related to Constitutional amendments/restructuring with the leadership of the country and other groups who see their presence in the future of Nigeria”, he stated.
