Igbo Ultimatum: APC Commends Northern Leaders, Governors Swift Move

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the Northern Governors and political leaders for their proactive and decisive action against the Arewa Youth Group which forced the group to back-down on its misguided ultimatum.

The commendation was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and made available to CityMirrorNews in Abuja.

It maintained that the nature and content of recent agitations by the Arewa Youth Group, clearly transcends the boundaries of the law and exceeds the limits of freedom of speech. Added that it is patently inimical to national cohesion and the sustenance of our hard-earned democracy.

APC called on citizens to explore available legitimate avenues such as the National Assembly and the courts to ventilate their grievances, seek redress or make change.

The party further enjoined agitators to join political party of their choice or form a new party to push their cause.

According to the statement, “Our party remain disturbed by the increasing spate of separatist agitations by individuals and groups in the country.

“While we affirm the inalienable rights of citizens and groups to agitate for legitimate causes as a key ingredient of participatory democracy, we believe that such agitations should be guided by the extant laws of the country and established democratic norms.

“They must be peaceful and demonstrate respect for the constitutional rights of other citizens who may not share in their separatist aspirations.

“For emphasis, APC strongly condemns any utterance, ultimatum or actions that threaten the corporate existence of our country.

“The Party is hopeful that various security agencies will investigate and prosecute promoters and sponsors of these provocative, divisive, inciting and undemocratic declarations and actions. We express our firm belief that despite our challenges, our strength as a country lies in the diversity of our peoples. This we must use to our advantage in our quest to lift the country to its deserved heights, the statement read.

The All Progressives Congress used the occasion to call on political leaders in the South East to emulate their northern counterparts by reining in separatist agitators in the region and arresting the spate of provocative and inciting declarations and actions.

Stressing that doing so is the leadership responsibility imposed on them by the positions they occupy.

The party expressed disappointment that non-state actors could effectively subvert civil order in the face of duly constituted political authorities.

Certainly, this unfortunate situation cannot be allowed to repeat itself, the statement added.

Sundiata Post recalls that the Arewa Youth Group had on Tuesday given ultimatum to Igbos resident in the north to vacate the area before October 1, 2017 or face a repeat of 1966 progrom.