SAN FRANCISCO, July 10, (THEWILL) – Leaders from the three southern geopolitical zones in the country have declared that an attack on any southerner in the north would be interpreted as an attack on all southerners.
The southern leaders in a meeting in Lagos also called on Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to unfold actions and plans by the administration to protect southerners living in Northern Nigeria ahead of the October 1 deadline given the Igbo to relocate from the North.
The leaders lamented the proliferation of Fulani herdsmen settlements in the south and urged the Federal Government to take actions to check their activities as they tasked the Federal Government to push the implementation of the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference.
Among those present at the meeting were the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah; Afenifere chieftains, Ayo Adebanjo, Senator Femi Okurunmu, Chief Supo Shonibare; and former Director-General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, NIA, Chief Albert Horsfall.
Also present were the former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw; former Managing Director of the NDDC, Timi Alaibe; Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, Joseph Evah; Afenifere Spokesman, Yinka Odumakin among others.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of the meeting, Horsfall said Southern leaders were unhappy that no action has been taken by the Federal Government against the northern youths who gave quit notice.
“We are disconcerted that up till now, no action appears to have been taken regarding the October 1 threat issued by Arewa youths who threatened the Igbo living in the north,” he stated.
“We, therefore, demand that the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo inform Nigerians of what actions and steps that have been taken to protect the Igbo and all Southerners who live in the North against the threats of the Arewa youths.
“We reiterate that any threat or action against anyone from the South will be treated as a threat or action against all Southerners.
“We note with gratitude the statement by the Acting President that the issue of restructuring will be addressed soon and we urge him to follow his statement with immediate action by acting on the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference.
“We want the 16-point agenda that was submitted by the South-South delegation submitted in their meeting with the Acting President to be acted upon immediately to avoid youth restiveness and sustain the current peace.
“There is an urgent need to restructure Nigeria to achieve true federalism. We will not be distracted by individuals who claim ignorance of what restructuring means or those who try to imply a non-existent sinister plan to break up Nigeria because of the demand for restructuring.
“We affirm our commitment to the unity of Nigeria and also insist on the urgent need to restructure Nigeria to achieve true federalism. For the avoidance of doubt, restructuring is a return to the Constitution at independence which our founding fathers bequeathed to us.
“That Constitution allowed the states autonomy in the management of their affairs. The states will be federating units with their own rights to have their own constitution. The states will have control of resources and make agreed contributions to the Federal Government for general services.
“We will identify those areas of our constitution which should allow for effective administration in the states. It is important that action be commenced immediately to ensure that the entire changes are implemented by December 2017.”
