Northern Group Kicks against Reprisal over IPOB Activities in S’East
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) in Kano yesterday called on northerners to resist any attempt that will lead to unnecessary provocation in carrying out a reprisal on the unfolding event in the South-east.
Addressing journalists at the Kano Press Centre yesterday over the unpleasant scenario, the spokesman of the group, Mr. Abdulazeez Suleiman, in company of the Chairman and Co-chairman, Ashir Shariff and Shetima Yerima, said with the prevailing situation, the North and the northerners should remain calm and law-abiding.
“As cultured people with a long history of tolerance and respect for constituted authorities, we call on northerners to resist the temptation of carrying out reprisals and playing to the gallery,” Suleman said.
He added: “Northerners in line with their disciplined nature must refuse at this point to be dragged into taking the law in their hands through unnecessary and unproductive confrontation with members of any sectional, ethnic or religious group.
“We must remain peacefully focused, mutually respectful, trusting and tolerant as we repose confidence in the ability and committed willingness of the Nigerian security agencies to handle the situation as well as protect the lives and property of every Nigerian anywhere.”
According to him, “In this situation, it is essential that the North and the northerners remain restrained and refuse to be provoked into reprisal which is the ultimate hope of the conflict instigators.
The group said their struggle would continue to remain intellectual based, precautionary and essentially non-violent, pointing out that the agitation for separation and cry for Biafra in the South-east by the agitators supported by politicians in order for them be heard louder shall be resisted.
They further said they are prepared to “set out an immediate circuit to all the 19 northern states to prepare and sensitise the northern people on the need for calm and peaceful approach to the various positions and scenarios as regards the unfolding situation in the country, and enabling the northern people to be less amenable to provocation by deliberate misinformation and incitement campaigns.”
The group, however, accused IPOB of making the country ungovernable for President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to them, “The agitations and disturbances that have been ongoing ceaselessly since the coming to power of the Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo administration in 2015, are aimed at rendering the country practically ungovernable, and ushering in of anarchy and instability, thereby occasioning a change of government by whatever means and tactics.
“The targeting of President Buhari’s administration and singling him for attacks and irrelevant treatment is aimed at causing inter-regional crisis possibly leading to general unrest.”
They added: “The resurgence of separatist agitations especially the violent brand by the IPOB and its ilk in the South-east represent a much wider conspiracy to divide Nigeria along ethnic and religious frontlines as well as achieve the balkanisation of the North.
“The current IPOB brand of agitation is a strategy employed to achieve the results that the coupist of the First Republic failed to realise, namely, increase the weight and relevance of the regions to the detriment and expense of the central government.”
The group explained that: “Our stand on the current situation in Nigeria is that we will not fall to that instigation to allow a possibly foreigner or a mad man to plunge us into this unnecessary madness.
“We, therefore, dedicate effort in creating the right conditions for peaceful negotiations with other peace-loving groups in every situation on the political dispensation that should emerge now or in the future.”