ACF Condemns IPOB’s May 30 Sit-at-Home Order
BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned as destructive to national unity the statement by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) promoting a sit-at-home order on May 30, 2018.
ACF National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, said such a statement is not only unfortunate but smacks of irresponsibility by those ever ready to “jettison our collective sacrifice for primordial sentiments that would do no one any good.”
In a statement circulated to newsmen in Kaduna on Monday, Biu said, “ACF considers such press statement as destructive of our national cohesion.”
Recalled that the IPOB’s statement by its Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, had declared May 30 this year as a sit-at-home day to honour not only the proposed ‘Biafra State’ but also those allegedly killed by herdsmen across about 20 states of the country.
But the ACF spokesperson stated that; “The attention of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has been drawn to a press statement by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which was proscribed by the Federal Government last year, again declaring May 30th this year 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.
“It is also a negation of our national unity, comprising a people who having ended the unfortunate three (3) years of civil war, 48years 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.”
It further said; “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 ACF National Publicity Secretary noted that last year’s so-called “sit-at-home order 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,” the statement said.
The ACF therefore urged IPOB members to embrace the wise counsel of their elders, States Chief Executives and elected political representatives at both the National and State Assemblies and adopt due democratic process to actualize whatever plans they have, rather than unnecessary confrontation with the government.
The Forum also maintained that; “Our present democratic structure provides sufficient avenue for people to give voice to their aspirations and vent their concerns.
“Nigerians should therefore avail themselves to this opportunity rather than pander seek to heat up the polity. ACF also calls on the Security Agencies to put in adequate measures that will ensure the safety of all citizens in every part of country.”
The ACF, in wishing Nigerians happy ‘Democracy Day’, challenged political leaders to always play by the rules for fair, peaceful and credible elections come 2019.
