Arewa Youth Group and IPOB set to end crisis

The Coalition of Northern Groups and the leadership of Ndigbo in the 19 northern states, on Friday, met in Kano State to work towards resolving the issues surrounding an ultimatum earlier issued by the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, asking Igbo people residing in the North to vacate the region.

The meeting, which was convened by a former Chairman of the Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Isa Tijjani, provided a platform for the two sides to iron out their differences.

Fifteen northern groups that constitute CNG include: Arewa Summit, Development Initiative, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum and Arewa Youths Against Injustice.

After heated arguments between the opposing groups, it was unanimously agreed by the leadership of the two sides to dissolve into a 10-man committee – five from each side – to comprehensively debate and deliberate on the issues at stake and present a common position.

The convener said both groups would harmonise their positions within 72 hours and release a communiqué.

However, the opposing parties expressed their happiness to meet for the first time to resolve their differences.

Eze Ndigbo in Kano, Boniface Ibekwe, said he had always been committed to unity and peaceful coexistence in the country.

The CNG was led by Yerima Shettima, while the Igbo group was led by Chief Chi Nwogu. Both of them expressed optimism that the issue would be amicably resolved.

The CNG, had on Thursday in Kano, clarified that the quit notice, earlier issued in Kaduna, was not part of an agenda to use force to eject Igbo people from the North.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )