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•ACF tasks Igbo leaders, govs on IPOB
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Former Kaduna State governor, Col Abubakar Umar has warned the federal government against re-arresting the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Prince Nnamdi Kanu.
He also asked government not to treat Kanu and his supporters as common criminals because they are fighting for a fair deal for the Igbo in Nigeria.
He said: “Reports in the media indicate that the federal government has asked the federal high court in Abuja to revoke the bail granted Kanu and have him re-arrested.
“This is both dangerous and politically unwise. Mazi Kanu is not a common criminal as the government appears to think. On the contrary, he is a bitter young man fighting for a fairer deal for his Igbo kinsmen.
“His seeming militant approach is the result of the strong arm tactics with which the federal government deals with him. His long incarceration before a court granted him bail testifies to this.”
Umar, who is the chairman, Movement for Unity & Progress,( MUP) also added:
Umar further explained, “Like Kanu, many Igbos genuinely feel marginalised since they belong to the category of those who gave Mr President only five percent of their votes and appeared to have fallen out of his favour…”
Meanwhile, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has tasked Igbo leaders, as well as South East Governors, to prevail on kinsmen agitating for Biafran Republic to refrain from such move.
The ACF also urged all Nigerians to, in the spirit of Sallah, avoid hate speeches and acts that are capable of jeopardising peaceful co-existence of the country.
The advice was contained in a Sallah message issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu,
ACF said Igbo leaders and South East governors should emulate their northern counterparts in ensuring that the call for the separation of Nigeria, by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is stopped.
This was just as former military governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Umar (retd), disclosed that Kanu is not a common criminal as government “appears to think.”
Regardless, the ACF noted that it was northern leaders who prevailed on Arewa youths to withdraw the quit notice earlier served Biafra agitators.
“In this regard, ACF particularly calls upon our respected governors of the south eastern states and Ndigbo leaders to emulate their northern counterparts and prevail on the IPOB agitators to respect the sovereignty of Nigeria.
“We cannot allow our temporary challenges to redefine our collective destiny and set our agenda. We all have grievances, but they can best be addressed through dialogue and negotiation, not by violent agitations, threats and intimidation to lives and property.
“We, particularly, appeal to our youths, as leaders of tomorrow, to avail themselves of government empowerment facilities and engage in lawful productive ventures that will add value to themselves and the community, rather than be vanguard of destruction that comes with frustrations.
“Nigeria is in a trying period with so many challenges, economic, security, corruption and unemployment among others, hence the need to fervently pray for peace, stability, prosperity and avoid any act that will not be helpful.
“However, ACF have observed with concern the open disagreement among agencies of government over simple administrative issues that are capable of affecting unity of purpose with clear thought and morality. Nigeria cannot afford avoidable divided presidency, as it is not helpful to our democracy and development.
“ACF therefore appeals to the agencies concerned to guide against actions that can be sand bags on the path of efforts to deliver on the promise of democracy.
