In a development that portends danger, a coalition of Northern groups , including the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum , on Tuesday, gave all Igbos resident in the 19 states of the North October 1, 2017 deadline to quit the North or be forced out. It also asked northerners in Igboland to get ready to return home as a result of anticipated violence.
“We are also telling our brothers (northerners) out there in the South- East to get prepared to come back home, ” the National President , AYCF , Yerima Shettima, said at a press conference in Kaduna .
The ultimatum was a reaction to the growing agitation by some persons in the South East for the creation and recognition of Biafra Republic. The ultimatum was handed down at a press conference held at the Arewa House, Kaduna , on Tuesday .
The text of the press conference was signed by Nastura Ashir Sharif (Arewa Citizens Action for Change ); Alhaji Shettima Yerima (Arewa Youth Consultative Forum ); Aminu Adam (Arewa Youth Development Foundation ); Alfred Solomon, (Arewa Students Forum ); Abdul – Azeez Suleiman (Northern Emancipation Network), as well as Joshua Viashman, who signed on behalf of the Northern Youth Vanguard.
The National President of the Northern Emancipation Network, Abdul – Azeez Suleiman, who read the text of the press conference said that the Igbo had become a threat to national unity , .
He said: “With the effective date of this declaration, which is today, Tuesday , June 6 , 2017, all Igbo currently residing in any part of northern Nigeria are, hereby , served notice to relocate within three months and all northerners residing in the South- East are advised likewise .
“All northern civil societies and pressure groups are, by this declaration , mandated to mobilise for sustained, coordinated campaigns at their respective state Government Houses, state Houses of Assembly , local government council secretariats and traditional palaces .
“Our first major move shall be to reclaim, assume and assert sole ownership and control of these landed resources currently owned, rented or in any way enjoyed by the … Igbo in any part of northern Nigeria. ”
Suleiman warned that the failure of the Igbo to heed the relocation order, the group would mobilise the people of region against them (Igbo).
The National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum , Alhaji Yerima Shettima, warned that their threat must not be taken with levity by the Federal Government . He said they are fully mobilised to give action to their charge, stressing that they do not need further consultations with any group or individual.
