The Arewa Youth Forum, AYF, the Umbrella Organization of Youths in the north has expressed its dismay over the threat to peace, unity and development of the country with calls by Nnamdi Kanu on his people to boycott Anambra State governorship and 2019 general elections.
Recently, AYF called for caution when some Northern Youths gave Igbos residing in the north ultimatum to vacate the region before October.
A statement signed by AYF National President, Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu said, “This is because we believe in the oneness of Nigeria and the strength the country is getting and can still get from its diversity as a strong entity in the African continent and the world at large.
“However, truth be told, the Northern Youths were provoked by the unnecessary and persistent calls for disintegration by the Indegenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) and MASSOB.
“In the same vein Nnamdi Kanu has started calling on his people to boycott the November Governorship election in Anambra and the 2019 elections in the whole of the South East.
“To our consternation, this is happening when the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is meeting with stakeholders across the country to strengthen the bond that binds us together as one a laudable effort.
“It is unfortunate that the Federal Government and even leaders of thought and politicians especially those of Igbo extraction has not deem it necessary to condemn him or call him to order.
“We are also amused while the call for the arrest of Northern Youths is still on, nobody is saying anything about the provocation of Nnamdi Kanu.
“To add salt to injury, this is someone that has severally and serially violated his bail conditions with reckless abandon and he is working free.
“As stakeholders in the Nigerian project, it is our responsibility as the umbrella Organization of Youths in the north to rein in our members and advocate peaceful coexistence as a panacea for enduring peace and development of all.
“A situation where those from other regions and the Federal government is not seen to be up and doing leaves much to be desired.
“It is because of this that we are immediately calling on the Federal Government to bring Nnamdi Kanu to book, because his call to disrupt the polls in the region is a threat to peace in the country. The court should also order for his re-arrest as he has serially violated his bail conditions.
“AYF is also calling on leaders from the South East to immediately call Nnamdi Kanu to order just as Patriotic Northern elders did when Igbos were given ultimatum in the north.
“A situation where the leaders from the zone are seen to be indirectly given Nnamdi Kanu support will further divide the country and alienate the South East from others in Nigeria,” said the statement.
