From: Abdullahi Hassan, Zaria

The  Movement  for the Actualisation  of the Sovereign  State of Biafra (MASSOB)  has  sought the support of  the  Northern Elders Forum to  end  what it called the imminent collapse of  peaceful co-existence in  Nigeria,  following  recent  quit notice issued to the Igbo to leave Northern states by  Coalition of Arewa Youth.

The leader of the Movement, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, told  the  Spokesman of the Forum , Prof. Ango  Abdullahi,  in his farm House  in Zaria  that  the prevailing situation in the country was worrisome and uncalled for.

According to him, the  action and  the position of the Northern Elders on the matter is  too  sensitive to the solution of the crises.

“ We observed that there was communication gap  between  Arewa  people and the Igbo Community especially the leaders.The Igbo have been living  with northerners  doing business and commerce for long time, but  the  concern of MASSOB is basically on peaceful  co-existence of Igbo’s in the North’’.

Uwazuruike, said  though the agitation of MASSOB was for self determination of the Igbo’s sovereign nation, “but we  have never opted for violence to  deny  other people rights of existence in  any Igbo community  or  supported assault against any tribe or ethnic group.’’

The MASSOB leader  described the quit notice and position  of the Northern Elders Forum  as an indication of  serious misunderstanding and lack of  correct information provided by the  interest groups  which  can be resolved  through  meetings  and dialogue.

“We are here today to seek elders’ support  from  northern elders which we have the confidence that your forum can resolve.”

He said that MASSOB  supports  any genuine cause  that would ginger the development of the people  and therefore, urged Nigerians to  view the agitation as  positive towards uniting its people rather than causing violence.

Responding, the spokesman of the  Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi,  thanked the MASSOB delegation for the visit and  assured them that he would present the matter before  members of the forum for  deliberation,  consideration and possible review of approach.

“I wouldn’t  want to give an automatic assurance, but we believe in justice and fairness. As elders, our role is to correct anomalies  through mediation and consultations.”

Ango  blamed Nigeria crises on the selfish interest of the elite that steer the leadership of the country after  Awolowo, Sardauna and Azikwe.  You could recall the traumatic experience of Nigerians after  the founding fathers, especially the Civil War and its consequence as well as how issues and administration of the country was mismanaged  by  some leaders.’

He said that their focus  in the Forum is Nigeria’s  development not individual or sectional biases. I personally, support that any Nigerian or group  has the  right to ask for whatever he want peacefully, especially after living in the country for 100 or  60 years without any  significant achievement , that is why I support the creation of Biafra republic if  the situation warrant’’.

“After all  other countries  like Indian  after independence of 1948 , Pakistan, and later Bangladesh were created. Other countries in Europe and Asia had similar experience, What is wrong if Igbo said they want their Nation,? But that has to be achieved through peaceful means not violence.”