FG to Nigerians: Ignore threats, divisive ultimatum from northern youths

The Federal Government has urged all well-meaning individuals and groups in the country to ignore all forms of threat issued by geo-political groups with the aim of causing disaffection.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the appeal when he briefed State House correspondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council, which was presided over by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.
Mohammed said: “The issue of one or two groups issuing a statement that is capable of destabilising the polity and then being responded to by another group, I think it did not just start today or did not start yesterday.
“What I want to assure you is that security organizations are very, very much on top of this matter.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that no fewer than 16 youth groups issued a joint position paper at a well-attended news conference held at the Arewa House, Kaduna on June 6, in which they declared that northerners could no longer co-exist with the Igbos.
The ultimatum followed a massive compliance with the sit-at-home order enforced by the Indigenous People of Biafra on May 30 in favour of the actualisation of Biafra Republic.
According to the coalition, this decision was informed by the persistent agitation of the Igbos for secession.
The statement read: “Having come this far, we wish to categorically state that the North is no longer keen in being in the same country with this unruly pack of unrepentant hooligans.
“That the North supports and encourages the authorities and other national and international stakeholders to allow the rebellious Igbos to go their way.
“That in the event the Igbos are not allowed to pull out, the North shall divorce this marriage that has never been convenient to any of the parties.
“That as a prelude, we call on all Igbos currently residing in any part of Northern Nigeria to relocate within three months, and northerners in the East should do likewise.’’
The minister, however, dismissed the ultimatum and assured that the country’s security agencies were on top of the matter.
NAN also reports that Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state on Wednesday in Kaduna ordered the arrest of members of the groups that gave the Igbos the three-month ultimatum.
El-Rufai, who gave the order through his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, condemned the action of the northern groups and assured every Kaduna resident that “nobody can tamper with their freedom to reside where they choose to’’.
He added: “The Kaduna State Government took exception to the fact that the northern youths did their irresponsible press conference in Kaduna.
“This government has been consistent in taking action to punish hate speech and incitement.
“People who may feel unhappy about irresponsible comments or actions that have taken place in other states must know that two wrongs cannot make a right and they cannot use our state to do or say things that threaten the peace.
“‎Kaduna state government has therefore ordered the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the signatories to the statement.’’
The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Alhaji Abubakar Malami, who also spoke to the correspondents after the meeting, said the council approved the ratification of some treaties.
According to him, the treaties, which Nigeria is a signatory to include the World Intellectual Property Organisations Copyright Treaty, Beijing Treaty and Marakesh Treaty.
Malami said: “All these treaties are intended to provide protection for literary and artistic works as far as the copyright of their productions are concerned.
“So, Nigeria is a signatory to those treaties and international conventions.
“So, as a signatory to those international conventions, we have a responsibility to ensure that they take the benefits and enjoy the advantages of the treaties by way of Nigeria being a signatory to those treaties and conventions.
“So, the presentation of a memo was made to the council seeking the approval of the council for the ratification of the treaties.
“Arising from that, the Office of the Attoney-General of the Federation had been mandated and instructed to draft the necessary instrument for transmission to the world body in terms of ratification of world treaties associated with intellectual property of copyrights.’’