Tracking now: Arewa Youths Council formally withdraws quit notice to Igbos
Peace of mind across the nation may be on its way back following the withdrawal on Thursday, of three months ultimatum the Arewa Youths Council (AYC), a Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) handed down on lgbos living in parts of Northern Nigeria to quit the region before October 1, 2017.
The rescind was coming within 48 hours after South East Senators visited and conferred with leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday.
The ultimatum withdrawal formed the high point of a World Press Conference held Thursday, at Transcorp Hilton hotel, Abuja and addressed by more than a dozen of Northern Youth Groups including the Arewa Youths Council (AYC) that issued quit notice to the lgbos in the Northern Nigeria.
The move may not be unconnected with the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from a 104-day medical vacation in London and mainly his terse national broadcast which dwelt on national security, peace and totally condemned anti-war speeches including ultimatums.
In attendance include the Governor of Borno state and Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Kashim Shetima, ex- Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Kabiru Gaya, ex-Minister, Alhaji Sani Daura and Alhaji Shetima Yerima of Arewa Youths Council. Others are Nollywood star Kenneth Okonkwo aka Andy and Eze Ndigbo in Kano State who led the Christian prayers before the occasion started.
Business Hilights recalls that CNG had anchored their Grounds on Kaduna Declaration on the insult by Nnamdi Kanu-led Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) following the Seat-at-home it ordered for the remembrance of Biafra Declaration and the volume of Igbos that died from the war that resulted between 1967 and 1970.
Efforts to get the reaction of IPOB leadership as at the time of filing the report failed, but experts in crisis management say the move by CNG may clearly douse the tension but may not diminish trending calls for restructuring.
