The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has said, considering the fact that Nigeria is already weakened by many challenges and as events and tendencies suggest that the country is headed for more crises, Igbo people should be allowed to seceed if they want to.
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Director, Publicity and Advocacy, in a statement on Monday observed that Nigerians now live in fear of violence and uncertain future.
“At the national level, the administration appears to have lost the capacity to halt the gradual descent of the country into anarchy. Political leaders in the South East appear to have submitted to violence and terror of IPOB and ESN.”
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The NEF said it appeared the secession demand by Igbo represents the popular choice.
“This nation has had to fight a terrible war to preserve the country. The North had paid its dues in that war, as indeed it did in many ways throughout the history of the country.”
The Forum declared that: “If support for secession among the Igbo is as widespread as it is being made to look, and Igbo leadership appears to be in support of it, then the country should be advised not to stand in its way.”
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Baba-Ahmed, however, said it will not be the best choice for the Igbo or other Nigerians to leave a country all toiled to build and have the responsibility to fix.
“It will not help a country already burdened with failures on its knees to fight another war to keep the Igbo in Nigeria”, the statement added.
