The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) on Thursday described described as unfortunate, the ultimatum issued to Igbos to vacate the northern region by the so-called Coalition of Arewa Youths.
The Centre said some powerful forces may have promoted the eviction notice in response to sit-at-home order which followed “resurgence of secessionist tendencies orchestrated by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement of the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in the South East of Nigeria.”
Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, (rtd.) CCC Executive Secretary, in a statement made available to DAILY POST said while IPOB and MASSOB may have their faults, the pronouncement by the Northern youths was unconstitutional, provocative and a threat to the peaceful co-existence among the citizens.
He said IPOB’s secession plans which whipped up the civil war sentiment of the people of the South East to declare 30th of May, 2017 a sit-at-home action in remembrance of the Igbos that died during the war was not unlawful.
CCC further stated that: “That Chapter Four of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of movement and the inalienable rights of all Nigerians to live wherever they wish and to equally pursue their legitimate livelihood wherever they wish devoid of any hindrance or molestation by any individuals or groups.
“That no group, association or coalition under any guise has the right to threaten Nigerians with ultimatums to relocate from certain parts of Nigeria.
“That the 15th January of every year which is the Armed Forces Remembrance Day should be expanded to be a National Remembrance Day to be set aside to celebrate the unity of the country and commemorate the civilians and military personnel who lost their lives during the unfortunate civil war in order not to give room for mischief makers.
“That the media should be conflict-sensitive in their reportage of information that have ethnic or religious connotations.
“The Centre wishes to commend the quick intervention by the Kaduna State Government as well as Northern Governors’ Forum in unequivocally condemning the unguarded pronouncement of the Coalition of the Arewa Youth”.
