Quit notice: Arewa youths set to change their position

The intervention of South-east leaders in the quit notice given to Igbos in the north seen to have paid off - The Coalition of Arewa youths that issued the quit notice have softened their stance - The groups are set to reconsider their earlier position A report by The Nation indicates that the Coalition of Arewa youths that issued a quit notice to Igbos residing in the north is set to reconsider their stand. According to the report, this is due to the recent position of Southeast leaders who condemned the Biafra agitation in the South-east. Alhaji Shettima Yerima, the president of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), one of the youth groups that issued the ultimatum, was quoted as saying they were pleased that the Igbo leaders strongly condemned the pro-Biafra agitators.

 AYCF leader, Alhaji Yerima hailed the timely intervention of the South-east leaders 

His words: “We are happy that the Igbo leaders have taken a step to curtail some people who have been trying to hold the country down through their actions. “Now that they have said they remain committed to indivisible Nigeria, we will reconsider our position on the matter. “We will have to discuss with the stakeholders across the north, what the Igbo leaders did is a welcome development. If they had done this the past, we would not have reasons to take the step we took. “It is unfortunate that they allowed their position and leadership to be undermined by one fraudster, toying with the destiny of over 40 million people, which is not right. We are also saying people should not just fold their hands and allow some people who are desperate for relevance to toy with their collective destiny. We will meet and discuss the matter because we are truly proud of Nigeria. “Now that they have done what we expect of them, we would have to reconsider our position. We will meet and make our position known to the world.” Yerima added that the ultimatum was issued because the South-east leaders did not do anything to caution the agitators, who were hell bent in causing trouble for the country. South-east leaders and stakeholders had earlier reiterated their commitment to a united Nigeria where peace, fairness and equality of opportunities are paramount to citizens irrespective of ethnicity or political affiliation. The leaders also condemned all manner of hate speeches from any segment of the country. 

South-east leaders had condemned the agitation in their region and pledged allegiance to Nigeria