The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has expressed concern Nigerians now live in fear of violence and uncertain future as a result of the happenings in recent time, especially the secession calls by the Igbos.
Director, Publicity and Advocacy of the forum,Hakeem Baba-Ahmed in a statement on Monday, noted that there is no need for another civil war in an attempt to keep the Igbo’s in Nigeria.
The NEF said it appeared the secession demand by Igbo represents the popular choice.
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.
“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 lamented that the capacity of the government to protect its citizens and resisit violent assault on the unity of the country is weakening.
The elders added that they have reviewed events and tendencies which suggest that the country is headed for more crises amid the calls for Biafra, security challenges, among others.
The elders lamented that armed criminals have increased their audacious stranglehold on the country.
According to the statement, all Nigerians are paying the price of failure of two sets of leaders.
“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.”
Baba-Ahmed therefore stressed that under the current circumstances, no Nigerian should welcome another war to keep the country together.
He 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.
