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.”