From Emmanuel Uzor, Abakaliki
The South East Governors’ Forum yesterday assured Ndigbo living in all
parts of the northern of Nigeria of their safety even as they urged them
not to be intimidated by the quit notice issued by the Coalition of Arewa Youths.
Chairman of the forum and governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi
while addressing journalists at the Executive Council Chambers,
Government House, Abakaliki said the forum after critically appraising the issues rising from the quit notice decided to speak up and to assure their people of safety.
He said the governors of the South East received the order on Ndigbo to vacate the northern region by the Coalition of 16 Northern youth
as highly provocative statements and called on the Igbo to ignore the call and go about their lawful businesses.
He said that the forum has carefully considered the contents of the order a highly provocative statement and had reflected on its
implications for Ndigbo specifically and for the status of the federal Republic of Nigeria.
Umahi further disclosed that the South East Governors’ Forum had
repeatedly reiterated its commitment to the preference for the
existence of a virile, united, prosperous and progressive Nigeria
where justice, fairness, equity and respect and equal opportunity to
all citizens regardless of ethnicity and gender will reign supreme.
“The lives and property of law-abiding citizens of Igbo extraction are
as precious as the lives and properties of all Nigerians irrespective
of region and these must be guaranteed and defended against all forms
of threats, both domestic and external by the security forces of the
federal Republic of Nigeria.â€
“We must call on all serious minded patriots, particularly the
religious leadership in Northern Nigeria and all other relevant
stakeholders to rise with voices of peace and wisdom to counter the
mischief and exuberant excesses of the Northern youths.â€
The Governors’ Forum chairman also denied information earlier in the social
media that the governors had met and mobilized for the return of Ndigbo from
the north in response to that threat call.
Umahi said “the rumours peddled on conventional and social media platforms that the Governors’ Forum of
the South East have met and agreed to mobilize vehicles and cash for
the repatriation of Ndigbo in the Northern Nigeria must be
disregarded.