30-day ultimatum by Northern youths : Nnamdi Kanu deserves apology – Niger Delta group
* Demands dissolution of Nigeria
* As Ndigbo mobilise for self defense
*ACF backs Northern youths on Ruga
By Steve Oko
As the 30-day ultimatum issued by a coalition of Norther youths to Southern Governors and leaders to accept the suspended controversial ‘toxic’ Ruga policy is still generating ripples, a Niger Delta group, Urhobo Liberation Force, ULF, has said that the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is being persecuted for pushing for Biafra autonomy and for predicting the current developments in the country deserved apologies.
The Niger Delta group vehemently rejected Ruga and vowed to defend the region against any attempt to forcefully take their land for Ruga which it said should be a private venture.
It, therefore, called on the Federal Government to immediately arrest the Northern youths who gave the 30-day-ultimatum.
Leaders of the group, self styled ‘General’ Orubu Ekpe, GOC, Operations and ‘General’ Mike Agbalele, GOC, Defence , in a statement, said: “The attention of the Niger Delta youths has been drawn to a publication by some Northern youths, who publicly threatened the peace we enjoy currently in Nigeria.”
The statement further read :“ By their actions, it is clear that we must go back to where we were before 1914. Their action is a pointer to the fact that the killing perpetrated by herders is an agenda to forcefully take the land belonging to the South.
“It is a mission against the South. They want to use him to actualise this plan so that the oil and gas in the Niger Delta could become their own.
“We, in the Niger Delta are ready. We are tired of this marriage. If youths of southern Nigeria made such statements, the Nigerian government would call them names. The northern youths must apologise to our governors and leaders because Ruga cannot work.
“Cattle-rearing is a private business. You have to acquire land to do your business Southerners in the north are not given land freely. The federal government never spends public fund on the Igbo man who sells automobile spare parts in the north.
“ Buhari must arrest the so-called northern youths and prosecute them for treason.
“What Nnamdi Kanu did was not up to what these northern youths have done. If nothing is done, the southern youths of Nigeria may not wait until the 30 days to start defending our territory against any aggression.
“We, in the Niger Delta shall stop the flow of oil. We are aware of different plans of the north. The Water Bill has found its way to the National Assembly so that no state can be called oil-producing state.
“Niger Delta youths must all rise now. Niger Delta is the major target. Our governors and political leaders must arise.
“The federal government has refused to condemn that public threat by the northern youths. The government is waiting until the 30-day ultimatum elapses.’’
Meanwhile, the World Igbo Congress, WIC, has vowed to mobilise for the defense of Igbo land against the establishment of Ruga.
The group which is a platform for all Igbo in the diaspora said that plans had been concluded to mobilise resources worldwide for the formation of an indigenous militia for self-defence.
A statement by its Chairman, Prof Anthony Ejiofor, said the move for an Igbo militia is backed by indigenous native laws.
Ejiofor said the development became necessary following the 30-day ultimatum issued by the Coalition of Northern Youth Groups for the implementation of Ruga settlements for herdsmen.
WIC also demanded immediate arrest and prosecution of the Northern youths that issued the ultimatum for treason and threat to national unity.
His words : “We call on the Federal government of Nigeria to summarily arrest and prosecute Mr Abdul Aseez Suleiman and his group for incitement and for a threat to conduct domestic terrorism against citizens of Nigeria failing which the Igbo of Southern Nigeria will use our own methods to carry out justice and defend our own people.
“We in the diaspora have long observed that the current unitary structure foisted on the people by successive military governments, is unsustainable. It has become an urgent imperative to dismantle this structure.’’
Be that as it may, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has expressed support for the Northern youths on their position on Ruga.
ACF said it shared “the concern of the Coalition of the Northern Groups on the plight of genuine herdsmen in pursuit of their livelihood in some parts of the country”.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on the suspension of Ruga settlements in the country, the forum, however, called for restraint in taking actions that may be inimical to peace and stability.
The statement signed by Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, the Publicity Secretary, said: “Now that the Federal Government has put on hold the Ruga Settlement program, that it was inconsistent with the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) approved by the National Economic Council and moreover, the program was designed as voluntary for willing state governments, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) therefore urges all concerned to exercise restraint in taking actions that may be inimical to peace and stability in our polity.
“ACF also shares the concern of the Coalition of the Northern Groups on the plight of genuine herdsmen in pursuit of their livelihood in some parts of the country. ACF, therefore, appeals to government to institute measures that would ameliorate the suffering of not only herders but all those involved in the value chain of livestock production”.
More Stories
Fresh plot to assassinate Trump uncovered, Iranian on trial in US
Trump crushes Harris, wins US presidential poll
Okwuonu’s nomination as S’East rep in development of standards for dialysis excites Abia govt