Salihu
Tanko Yakasai
Governor
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has said that as leaders in Northern
Nigeria, all governors in the region are solidly against ethnic prejudice, as
promoted by certain group of youth, declaring categorically that Igbos in the
region will stay forever.
“Even if
you want to go on your own, we will not allow you to leave. There is a
difference between I will not go and there is no where I can go. You don’t have
anywhere to go, this place is your home”, he asserted.
The
governor stated this on Friday night when he received leaders of the Igbo
Delegates Assembly, IDA, led by the President- General, Chief Chi Nwogu, at the
Government House in Kano.
According
to him, even foreigners are residing comfortably in Kano and other parts of
Northern Nigeria and are engaged in legitimate ventures, adding that there is
no basis to threaten other Nigerians, who collectively fought for the nation’s
independence.
“Those
advocating ethnic agitation from the East are not speaking for all Igbos. Those
of us, who as youth witnessed the Civil war, will never advocate secession”, he
stated.
Governor
Ganduje said the Northern youth who issued quit notice to Igbos in the region
have also been called to order by elders, civic and political leaders,
including governors and the Sultan of Sokoto, because all well meaning people
believe in one Nigeria.
“When you
have youths who have no elders, they are similar to riding a horse without a
bridle. It can behave anyhow and anything can happening. This is what is
happening”, he maintained.
He,
therefore, described the meeting reconciliatory between the IDA leadership and
Coalition of Northern youths as timely, asserting that all ethnic groups in the
country have advantages which if collectively harnessed would make the country
greater.
“What is
happening in Sudan is a lesson for all of us. The breakup of that country has
not taken them anywhere. We cannot afford to make that type of mistake”, he
said.
In his
remarks, the President-General, Igbo Delegates Assembly, Chief Chi Nwogu, said
there were in Kano to meet the Coalition of Northern Youth Groups, in respect
of the quit notice issued Igbos in the North by the youths.
“Both of
us have agreed to set up a committee to sort out things and ensure that there
is peace”, he stressed.
Meanwhile,
Governor Ganduje also met with members of the Coalition of Northern Youth
Groups, where he expressed happiness that they have listened to the voices of
elders and accepted to stride the path of peace.
Salihu
Tanko Yakasai
DG Media
& Communications
Government
House Kano
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