Reps condemn Arewa youths’ ultimatum to Igbo

The House of Representatives on Thursday condemned the ultimatum by the Coalition of Arewa Youths to Igbo to leave the Northern region by October 1.

Consequently, the House urged security agencies to be on the alert to forestall any breakdown of law and order that may arise as a result of the threat.

The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion under ‘matter of urgent public importance’ by Rep. Oghene Egoh (Lagos-PDP).

Moving the motion, Egoh condemned the relocation threat issued by the 16 Northern youth groups and the stand of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra on the matter.

The lawmaker stressed the need for the Federal Government to urgently intervene in order to avert a national crisis.

“As part of the campaign by the IPOB for the actualisation of Biafra Republic, Biafra agitators shut down major towns in the South-East on May 30, 2017.

“It is disturbing that 16 Northern youth groups on June 6, 2017 gave Igbo residing in their states up till October 1, 2017 to vacate the region.

“In its reaction, the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra said it received with gladness the ‘quit notice’ and urged the Igbo to return home immediately.

“The two calls created alarming twists, which are ominous and dangerous for the good health of Nigerians.

“This motion is not interested in the merit or demerit of Biafra; nor is it interested in apportioning blame to those who made the two unpatriotic calls.

“Rather, this is only a concern for the nation’s leaders to immediately intervene to stop these agitations from resulting in violence that may consume the entire nation,’’ Egoh said.

He also urged the National Assembly and the Presidency to initiate dialogue with the two groups to avoid damage to the nation.