Governors of South-East states have ordered all Igbos residing in the North to ignore the recent ultimatum issued by Arewa Youth groups and go about their lawful duties without let or hindrance. The Chairman of the South East Governors' Forum and Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi issued the directive on Thursday in Abakiliki, the Ebonyi state capital.
Governor Umahi who refuted widespread claims that the governors had perfected plans to relocate Igbos from the North also called on Northern leaders and well meaning Nigerians to call Arewa youths to order to avert a repeat of history.
Umahi stated that, “We must call on all serious-minded patriots, particularly the religious leadership in Northern Nigeria; the leadership of other socio-cultural groups in Northern Nigeria; the Nigerian Governors Forum; and all the service branches to rise up with voices of peace and wisdom to counteract the mischievousness and exuberant excesses of the northern youth.
“The ugly lessons of history are too grim to be stoked with carelessness. As leaders, we must exert the full measure of our powers and influence to forestall a repetition."
“We call on all Igbo sons and daughters resident in Northern Nigeria to go about their lawful daily activities without fear of intimidation, hindrance or molestation.”
He reiterated the South East's unflinching commitment “the existence of a virile, united prosperous and progressive Federal Republic of Nigeria where justice, fairness, equity, mutual respect and equality of opportunity to all citizens, regardless of creed, ethnicity or gender, will reign supreme under the inflexible rule of law.”
