ACF Supports South-East Governors, Disagrees with CNG on IPOB, Cessation
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has declared that it supports the stand of the South-Eastern Nigerian governors who recently distanced themselves from the secessionist agitations of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The governors said they stand with a united Nigeria that gives everyone a sense of belonging.
ACF’s national chairman, Audu Ogbe, disclosed this in a communique read out to journalists after the Forum’s NEC meeting.
ACF’s position contrasts with that of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) which dismissed the South-eastern governor’s declaration as “insufficient and unacceptable Substitute for Referendum.”
ACF said it will initiate a dialogue with other regional socio-cultural groups in Nigeria to find viable solutions to the problems facing the country.
It named Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere and South-South leaders as some of the groups it intended to sit with.
The communique read in part, “In the very near future, the forum hopes to meet with leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere and South-South leaders to discuss the lingering issues in the country that have tended to pitch ethnic and regional groups against each other.
“The forum expressed satisfaction with the recent stand of the South-East leaders and governors on the violent agitation for secession from Nigeria by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network.
“The forum (ACF) expressed satisfaction that the Ibo elders have finally disowned the agitators and called on the elders to take concrete measures to ensure that such agitations come to an end. The ACF notes that the South-East leaders called on northern leaders to protect their indigenes living in the North.”
The forum also said it would not be agitating for a separate Republic out of Nigeria such as Biafra or Oduduwa Republics that the Igbo and Yoruba are calling for.
It also asked northerners to unite against the activities of kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements ravaging the region.
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