The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has expressed dismay over
Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s call for the arrest of NEF’s spokesman.
The Forum explained that Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed did not make
inciting comments as claimed by Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Recall that NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy had in
a circulated broadcast video asked Nigeria not to deny the Igbo’s secession.
“We said if secession is what every Igbo wants, and this is
what the Igbos want, the nation should not fight a war over it”.
Alex Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze spokesman on Wednesday in a
statement claimed NEF’s statement was extremely nauseating, uncouth,
provocative, incendiary, inflammatory and above all very arrogant and
licentious.
The convener of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango
Abdullahi, in a statement, explained that Ogbonnia’s comments are dangerous and
irresponsible, alleging that it is designed to put the life of Dr Baba-Ahmed in
peril.
The Northern Elders Forum stated categorically that all
comments and statements made by Dr Baba-Ahmed are authorized, and they
represent its positions.
It explained that the press statement which Baba-Ahmed read
on the 8th of June, 2021 at the Forum’s headquarters in Abuja in the presence
of the full forum was the statement of the body which it still stands by.
The statement added, “We’re aware of attempts to create the
impression that this statement is recent as well as other attempts to
misrepresent its contents to create scapegoats for the failure to limit the
damage of irredentism.”
Despite many efforts to inform the public appropriately, the
statement said it appears that Ohaneze Ndigbo has fallen prey to more mischief,
or is itself actively involved in incitement against a citizen.
The statement reaffirmed that the forum stands by its
Director of Publicity and Advocacy, a Nigerian whose pedigree and service to
the nation have few parallels.
It regretted the claim that Dr Baba-Ahmed is a security risk
and the demand that he should be arrested as pathetic and beneath even the
ordinary standards of Ohaneze Ndigbo.
The forum advised Ohaneze Ndigbo to focus its attention on
contributing to securing the people of the South-East from multiple threats,
and ensuring that Ndigbo has a befitting relevance in Nigeria.
The forum then affirmed its full confidence in Dr Hakeem
Baba-Ahmed, who will continue to serve the country and the North as we search
for a future that accommodates all interests in Nigeria.
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