Northern group calls for dialogue over Biafra

A group of Northern youths under the aegis of North-East Youths Peace Development Initiative, NEYPDI, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government to dialogue with those agitating for Biafra, instead of applying force against them.

The Indigenous People of Biafra on a Peaceful Protest over the Arrest of the Director of Radio Biafra, along Ikwerre road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

The group also dissociates itself from the call for the Igbos in the north to vacate the area.

The National President, NEYPDI, Alhaji Kyari Idris Abubakar, in a statement said: “Like those of us who have been suffering from insurgency in the past years we would not hesitate to go against anything that would lead to violence in the country. FG should dialogue with the agitators and not force, as it is not the best approach in handling the matter.”

Abubakar expressed regret over the recent call for Igbos to move out of the north, adding that it was capable of generating tensions and possibly lead to violence. “I want to remind the group that we have northerners in the south-east and other parts of the country and if the threat is carried out, they would also be asked to move back to the north, the development that negates the principle of peaceful co-existence as a nation,” he said.

The youth leader also urged President Buhari and the Service Chiefs to step into the matter in order to avoid it from degenerating. According to Abubakar since the agitators of the sovereign state of Biafra did not enjoy the support of many Igbo leaders including the governors, there was no need for one to go as far as asking the Igbos to quit northern part of the country.

Abubakar who is also the leader of Lagos State chapter of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) further stated that the constitution of the country gives liberty to its citizens to choose any part of the country as residence. “The major task ahead of northern youths in the country is not for Igbos to quit the north but to join hands with the new government and Service Chiefs to end the ongoing insurgency in the region,” he said.