Home News Africa Insecurity: ACF, Afenifere, Ohanaeze, others join forces – The Nation Newspaper

Insecurity: ACF, Afenifere, Ohanaeze, others join forces – The Nation Newspaper

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By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Editor, AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna, Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu

Leaders of major ethnic associations are forging ahead to work in unison to end the general insecurity in the country.

All parts of the country are battling with a form of insecurity or another. Many have been killed. Many others are living in fear.

There is also the threat of secession and willful killing of security operatives.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on Wednesday accepted the invitation by Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to meet on a way out of insecurity and the threat of secession.

After its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Kaduna yesterday, the ACF said: “The Forum hopes to meet with leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere and Southsouth leaders to discuss the lingering issues in the country that have tended to pit ethnic and regional groups against each other.”

The ACF added: “The Forum expressed satisfaction with the recent stand of the Southeast leaders and governors on the violent agitation for secession from Nigeria by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network.

“The Forum expressed satisfaction that the Igbo 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 communiqué read by ACF chairman, Chief Audu Ogbe, added: “The ACF notes that the Southeast leaders called on Northern leaders to protect their indigenes who are living in the North.

“We wish to assure them that all Igbos who are living in the North are guaranteed their personal security; sometimes they enjoy security which even Northerners do not enjoy.

“On the other hand, we have received reports on a daily basis of Northerners, ordinary citizens who are earning their daily life as nail cutters, suya makers, shoe shiners, onion sellers, being bullied, beaten and even killed.

“We hope these ordinary Northerners are given the same protection we have given the Southeasterners in our midst.”

The ACF said the state governments should allow the local government administration to function “as they are constitutionally created to perform”.

It called for the reorganisation of the nomadic education for kids of itinerant herders and praised the Buhari administration for its investment in infrastructure development.

But it alleged marginalization of the North in the provision of the road and rail projects.

“The fact, however, remains that the northern part of the country, with the largest proportion of land (over 75 per cent) and the highest number of population is definitely not getting its fair share of the new infrastructure being developed,” ACF said.

Ohanaeze ready

Ohanaeze spokesman Alex Ogbonnia said: “That resolution to meet with us and leaders of other ethnic groups is most welcome.

“The position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the context of one united Nigeria under the platform of justice, equality of rights, fairness, love and respect for one another, is well known

“Our position concerning IPOB and other secessionist groups is also well known; the basis for agitation by Ndigbo is equally well known.”

Ogbonnia, however, noted that the agitations have spread beyond the Igbo, adding: “That’s why you can see the Yoruba, Tiv, Ijaw, Idoma, and every other group in Nigeria agitating for one thing or the other.

“So, we welcome whatever discussion that will address the lingering issues in the country.”

On the alleged killing of northerners in the Southeast, Ohanaeze Ndigbo said already, Igbo leaders had taken action to protect everyone, including northerners doing businesses in the region.

‘Afenifere will be part of it’

Afenifere, the pan Yoruba socio-political group, expressed its readiness to meet with the ACF.

The organisation said although it had not received any invitation from the core northern group, it would attend the meeting.

Afenifere Secretary Chief Sola Ebiseeni said insecurity has boxed Nigeria into a national emergency, adding that separatist agitations also stare the country in the face.

He said although Afenifere had not supported disintegration, efforts being made to prevent a break up should be within the framework of restructuring.

The secretary said: “To the best of my knowledge, we have not received any invitation from ACF. But, if Afenifere is invited, why not? We will attend. Our position is that we should jaw jaw on the future of Nigeria.

“ACF is a stakeholder. If their invitation is in good faith, for the progress of Nigeria, particularly to reinvent true federalism as the foundational basis of governing Nigeria, Afenifere will attend. We are open to dialogue.”

Ebiseeni emphasised that the position of Afenifere is not hidden, stressing that it is known to all ethnic nationalities.

He said during the meeting, Afenifere will reiterate its position on the urgency of restructuring to foster true federalism.

Ebiseeni said: “The position of Afenifere is that Nigeria should be governed based on true federalism. Our position is known to the Nigerian people and other nationalities.

“In 2014, Afenifere was at the National Conference. The report that came from the conference was a national consensus. Of course, we did not get all our demands, but we reached a consensus. The consensus gave birth to the synergy among Afenifere, Ohanaeze Neighbourhood, PANDEF, and Middlebelt Forum to form the Southern and Middlebelt Leaders Forum.

“If ACF is extending a hand of dialogue to us, ACF will only be joining us to complete the circle.”

No opposition says PANDEF

PANDEF said it is not against sincere and truthful conversation with other groups.

The group argued that sincere engagement is what is needed in the country today.

Its spokesman Ken Robinson argued that PANDEF loves the country but is only asking for restructuring, stressing that there is no part of the country that does not have resources.

“We are open to discussion if they are sincere and truthful. We are ready. We love this country.

“We have made our stand known. We stand for restructuring of the country because the way it is now favours one group.

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