Spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Prof. Ango Abdullahi,
has stated that the north is ready to go their way if Nigeria decides to
break up.
He was reacting to accusation by the South East leaders
that the Northern Elders were sabotaging efforts to restructure the
country.
Abdullahi said the North is not aware of any sabotage,
adding that there is nothing wrong in Igbo people asking to have a
country of theirs.
He further stated that if Nigerians are tired of staying as an entity, they should be ready to go their separate ways.
Abdullahi
told The Sun, “You see the issue of restructuring is one of the
fundamental issues that shape Nigerian history from 1914 up to 1960.
“In fact, we are not aware of any sabotage, may be the South East leaders were working on assumption.
“But
if restructuring will save Nigeria, I think it is a matter that affects
every Nigerian including those in the North and we are ready to engage
in it to correct the anomalies in Nigeria starting from 1914.
On
the agitation by some Igbo groups for the creation of Biafra Republic,
he added, “You see, the issue of Biafra is all part of the discussion of
restructuring Nigeria.
“Yes, if Biafra means negotiations, yes,
it’s all a matter of discussion, if it means Igbo want to have a country
of their own separate from Nigeria, it means a matter of discussion and
we are prepared for the discussion.
“This
is all I have been saying that if Nigerians are tired of staying
together, they should be prepared to accept divisions instead of
remaining in agony and disappointment of one another.
“You see,
what I am saying is that every Nigerian should be able to speak his
opinion about the state of the country, and the country has laws.
“If
it is discovered that the law of a country is violated, that some
somebody has gone beyond his fundamental rights, the law is very clear
on this.
“What perhaps government is concerned about is that
violence was part of Kanu’s agitation, to realize his dream by force, I
think that is what government is trying to tackle to my understanding.
“So
if Kanu is talking about Biafra, he is free to talk about Biafra and
everybody is free to talk about his understanding of the Nigerian state.
“We
are always talking that the Nigerian state is not working and how can
we make it to work? And if the best option, is to call for separate
countries, why not?
“Well, if you read our communiqué in Kano
recently, we categorically stated that the Northern Elders Forum is
prepared to engage in any discussion with any group that is supporting
restructuring of Nigeria, so, this means that we are fully supporting
restructuring.”
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